Chuck Crampton has passed

Charles Crampton

May 17, 1929-April 20, 2016

Aptos

Charles L. "Chuck" Crampton of Aptos, passed peacefully on April 20, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in San Luis Obispo in 1929. When "Buddy" was nine years old, his parents, Archie and Betty Crampton, moved the family to San Jose. Mr. Crampton attended Hester Elementary School and Lincoln High School in San Jose. "Spider" Crampton played on three championship basketball teams as a LHS Lion, graduating in 1946. He was inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame in 1961. 

He went on to play on the San Jose State Spartans Freshman team where they earned a 25-5 record. That team went on to win the championship at the Mercury Herald's Tournament in 1947. Chuck lettered all three years as a Spartan, was named all-league in '49-'50, and was a starter for the only SJS team ranked in the top 20 nationally, in '50-'51. At 6'3", Chuck was one of the taller guards for the era. After one of the guards got injured during play, the coach looked down the bench and asked, "Who can play guard?" Without experience at the position and never missing an opportunity for playing time, Chuck raised his arm and yelled, "I can!!" And he did, for the rest of his career. 

Chuck established a winning record as coach at Camden High School where his teams amassed a 42-game win streak from 1955 to 1957, a Santa Clara Valley record that stands to this day. 

Coach Crampton then took over the head basketball coaching duties at Foothill Junior College of Los Altos Hills in 1959. When the new campus at De Anza Junior College in Cupertino opened in 1967, Chuck was promoted to Dean of the Physical Education Department and Athletics Director. Under his guidance the department ushered in the Enablers program for physically challenged participants, a physiology department, a program for elders, and his true pride and joy, the Women's Athletics program. Attending the Munich Olympics in 1972 with his daughter, Cyd, he marveled at the exceptional talent of the female track and field contestants and the fans' adulation. Chuck returned to De Anza inspired to spearhead a superb environment for female athletes at the Junior College level. Coach Crampton was inducted into the De Anza Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Mr. Crampton retired in 1989 to his beautiful home in Aptos. He was very involved in the Santa Cruz County SJSU Alumni Association, played golf to his heart's content, started his "victory" garden, and gloried in his wonderful grandchildren. 

He leaves behind his sons, Norman (Joanne Lincoln) of Santa Cruz, Bradley (Shelley Triggs) of Cambria, CA, his daughter Cydney (Sandy Freeman) of Monterey, his nephew Guy Lassabatere (Therese Allaire) of Monterey, his niece Renee Lassabatere (Jim Weber) of Aurora, CO, and his longtime companion Rochelle Rutledge of Aptos. His grandchildren Justin Shade, Hannah Crampton of Denver, CO , Sam Crampton of Reno, NV, Travis Crampton of San Francisco, and Koa Crampton of Cambria will remember their grandfather as one who was always ready to lend a hand and entertain them with a story. 

His love of life and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. The family is grateful to Hospice of Santa Cruz and the loving and caring assistance he received from his primary caregiver, Chris Duren of Pacific Grove. 
At Chuck's request, there will be no memorial service. If you feel inclined to honor his life, please make a charitable contribution in his name to the Foothill De Anza Foundation.