Jack Clegg

Jack Clegg, beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather passed away April 26, 2020. We will always remember his constant smile and how he made all of us feel so loved. He will be deeply missed. Jack had high moral values that made him the man we all knew him to be. Loving, patient, calm, honest, fair, compassionate, ready to help family and friends alike. He valued common sense and real life experiences above all. The example he set as a husband was admired by everyone in the family and it was only natural for Chuck to want him by his side as his best man. He also officiated at three of his grandchildren’s weddings.

Jack was born in Denver, Colorado and lived there until age 6 when the family moved to Bell Gardens. After Bell Gardens he lived in LA, then spent some time in Oklahoma before returning to Southern California which he settled in and called home.

Jack had an older brother Bob who shared Jack’s love of racing. The Clegg brothers raced Jalopies together. For a while Jack raced without a helmet because they were so expensive. Their father was able to buy him one at half price because it had green in it which was a superstitious color. This never hurt Jack’s success. Jack had a younger sister Jean and brother Roger. Jack was almost 10 when Jean was born and Roger arrived later that same year. Jack loved being a big brother and was always there for them. At one time they all lived in a tent while his parents were building a home in Orland, California. Jack carved out his own racetrack around the property and would drive his old car with Jean and Roger around the track. They felt like they were going 100 mph, but it was probably only 30 mph.

He graduated from Montebello High in 1949. He was always so proud of his typing test on the old fashion typewriter where he scored 70 words per minute with no errors for 5 minutes straight.

His first official job was at the US Tire and Rubber Factory in LA after a short time selling magazines and working at a gas station.

Jack married Phyllis in 1959 and together they moved the family to San Diego. They left Pomona that year with their 1960 ford truck and a trailer packed up with 3 kids and 1 on the way. They arrived in San Diego with no place to live, no job and $100 in their pocket.

Having worked as a carpenter previously, Jack immediately joined the Carpenters Union and worked as a carpenter on the first housing community in Rancho Bernardo. Within 2 months they purchased their own home in Santee. Jack would often bring the kids to the jobsite and they would spend the day collecting soda bottles.

Jack and Phyllis created a family that needed one final step, the legal adoption of Chuck, Mike and Suzie. Hiring a lawyer would have been quite expensive so Jack would stop at the SD Law library on his way home to research what would be needed. He prepared all the paperwork himself. The big day came for them to appear in front of the Judge, Chuck spoke to the judge on their behalf. After the adoption was approved they celebrated with a fancy dinner at the Rainbow Inn and went to see the movie, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World. This step just cemented what was already in place.

Jack and Phyllis remodeled the house in Santee, adding rooms and a separate garage. They then went on to build custom homes in Alpine, Lake Jennings and their current Victorian home in El Cajon. Each home provided a new adventure, living in their motorhome or garages while they built their homes. The Alpine Heights home was built around a HUGE boulder. It was at least 8’ high and 6’ in diameter. It made quite the statement in the entry with an iron staircase around it up to the second story. A highlight to their home in Lake Jennings was the swimming pool that was built in just 17 days. A large rock was also involved here and brought in to make a statement. This home and pool were featured in Sunset magazine. Jack and Phyllis had a love of Victorian homes that led to them designing and building a Victorian Home with a 180 degree sweeping view of El Cajon Valley. Christmas was a special time in this home, the surrounding neighborhood is known for the extensive Christmas displays and Jack and Phyllis’ home was always beautifully decorated.

Jack got his Contractors license in 1976 and in partnership formed Muirlands Corporation, a homebuilding company responsible for building over 300 homes in the East County. Jack also served as President of the Santee Chamber of Commerce.

Jack lived his life as an example to all whose lives he touched. He was a man of many trades and talents but his career as a homebuilder defined him. He believed in the American Dream of owning a home and strove to make that available to as many people as he could.

Jack’s first love was race car driving followed quickly by a love for classic cars. Jack was an active member of the Over the Hill Gang San Diego, the Early Ford V-8 Club San Diego and the San Diego Woodies Club. He enjoyed the events and the friendships he made along the way immensely. Jack’s love of cars and racing started early. He learned to drive at 13 and bought his first car at 14, a Model A Coupe for $25, a ford man from the beginning. He knew he wanted to be a race car driver by the time he turned 16. His highly successful racing career spanned 20 years beginning with his first race at Huntington Beach Stadium at the age of 19. He began racing jalopies and was one of the most successful and well-known drivers in Southern California. Jack then began racing modified race cars winning 4 Championship Races in Omar Danielson’s #97, a car also driven by Parnelli Jones. He moved into Sprint cars once roll bars were added and began his next winning chapter. Jack won many championships driving Jalopies, Modifieds and Sprint Cars. He raced at Ascot, Huntington Beach, Culver City, Orange Show Stadium, Balboa Stadium, Carpinteria, El Cajon Speedway, Phoenix, Sacramento fairgrounds and Tucson.

They attended the Over the Hill Gang annual “Streak” weekends at Campland by the Bay held every Mother’s Day weekend. Jack brought many of his classic cars to the Streak, most recently his 1948 Woodie. Their kids began to attend and eventually the grandkids and great grandkids started to come. It turned into a time honored tradition for the family and many memories were made. Jack bought his granddaughter a single ticket for the big prize drawing each year and twice she won with just that one ticket. He went on to try his luck again with his great granddaughter.

Jack kept a list of every personal car he ever owned. The list of 56 cars included classic cars, trucks he restored and his beloved 1948 Woodie given to him by Phyllis which he still owns. The Woodie was also driven by some of his grandchildren who were so proud to be seen in it.

There were many memorable vacations over the years. In 1963 Jack and Phyllis dropped the kids off in Oklahoma with their Grandpa Johnny and headed to the Indianapolis 500. In 1965 Jack and Phyllis put the kids in the truck and camper and headed across country to Washington DC and New York City. The kids remember laying in the top bed of the camper, peering through the window driving down the streets of New York City, definitely country cousins in the big city. A favorite funny memory from that trip was trying to buy tortillas and refried beans in Pennsylvania.

Jack was an avid snow skier and said more than once that it was the closest thrill to car racing he knew. He first tried his luck at Big Bear Mountain and broke his leg. It didn’t stop his love for the sport and he went on to ski in Colorado, California and Utah. He broke his leg a second time in Utah, but that still didn’t stop him, he skied in his 70’s.

He water skied, jet skied, camped and traveled in his RV. Lake Powell was his most favorite place to go as well as many trips to the river over the years. He was introduced to boating and water skiing by his brother in law Harry. It didn’t take many trips before he invested in a boat and off the family went. Jack was an excellent water skier and mastered single skiing with no problem. He truly was good at everything he did. He went on to add jet ski’s in and made sure he had the latest and fastest ones. His grandkids and great grandkids began riding grandpa’s toys and he was right there alongside racing them. Jack and Phyllis took a total of 7 trips to Lake Powell over the years.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Phyllis. His children include Chuck Clegg (Donna), Mike Clegg (Mary), Darrell Clegg (Diana), Suzie Ek (Carl), Karen Fitzgerald (David). Jacks family includes 17 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Jean Gustafson (Gus) from Pryor, Oklahoma.

A celebration of Life will be held once it is safe for all of us to gather. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of your choice.