Dean Wilson:
CLASS OF 1968
Davis High SchoolClass of 1968
Modesto, CA
Dean's Story
Life
My Bio update, June 2009
Yes, I'm still still kicking. it's now 41 years since graduation and I'm still here to talk about it. I've managed to stay alive after sustaining numerous crashes with motorcycles, race boats and other toys. Just before graduating in 68 I started racing with the American Power Boat Association and have been racing off and on since. At the age of 59 I still have the desire to go fast and scare the crap out of myself (some guys never grow up). Through out the years I've also raced motor cycles, cars and go karts. I've exceeded 200 mph, 50 stitches, 3 trips to the operating room and 5 visits to the emergency room but all in all I'm still in pretty good shape... however I grunt and groan a lot when I stand, sit, walk, and get out of bed but what the heck you only live once.
For you classmates that live in the Modesto area, I'm not Dean Wilson the Bail Bondsman, Parole Officer, Minister, General Contractor and especially R. Dean Wilson the Realtor.
After Davis High I attended MJC and earned my AA degree in Architecture, between 66 and 72 I worked at Dow Hammond International Trucks and Safe Way Super Markets. In the summer of 72 Bob Morita asked me to come work with him at Hogan Mfg. in Escalon. I've been working in the steel business for the past 37 years as a draftsman, designer draftsman, chief draftsman, project manager, shop & field supervisor, purchasing agent, operations manager and currently an estimator for a local steel erector. I estimate the installation of structural steel framing for high rise office buildings, schools, hospitals, gymnasiums, libraries, performing arts buildings, etc.
My current interests are developing tuned exhausts for race boats and modifying my track bike for better performance. If I'm not testing boat pipes at the races I'm flying around the local road racing tracks with my rice rocket.
I used to attend motorcycle schools and camps across the United States but got bored with that due to the Instructors always telling me to slow ...Expand for more
down so to satisfy my need for speed I now do track days where there's no speed limit and pretty much anything goes. I've also started writing a book and making videos that's directed towards the education of performance motorcycle riding and the ins and outs of motorcycle schooling. My race car is still idle due to a crash in 98 and with my busy schedule I'm still unable to find enough time to fix it, anyone want to buy a race car?
I married Laura Dias a 68 grad from Ceres High in 1974 and we've been married now for 35 years and FORTUNATELY have no kids. Besides our daily jobs we have a 20 acre site in the Turlock Patterson area where we raise cattle and farm crops. My wife and I are always busy with renovations and maintenance with our estate and rental house but we always have time to drop the top or jump on the bike and head for the Indian Casinos. When were not at the Casinos we're cruising the country side, gone racing or visiting our time share at beautiful Lake Tahoe.
As the years tick off I'm very fortunate and thankful for all the things I've done and I'm especially grateful for sharing those memorable moments with someone I love. We always look forward to our next adventure and constantly give thanks for having good enough health and finances to continue on so for you fellow classmates that's sitting on your assets, get off them and enjoy life while you still can because every minute wasted is a minute lost and as you well know, we're all running out of minutes. The best advice I can give anyone is spend your kids inheritance, invest in fun and live your life to the fullest because you're only born with one lifetime and one only. Also remember the value of a satisfying memory only appreciates as you get older and what fun you've experienced can't be taken from you so with that said, do the right thing and get busy having fun.
This year on 8-8-08 will be a picnic for the class of 68 at the park next to Davis High, if you need more info you need to contact Gordon Pedersen on this site. See you there.
Sincerely,
Dean R. Wilson
Spartan, Class of 68
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