Coach Stan Oken
Note: This special profile of former Grover Cleveland High School basketball coach Stan Oken is a direct response to the remarkable letter that GCHS65 alum Ron Garland wrote as his Story, testifying to the lifelong effect that Coach Oken had on Ron's life, via lessons he learned from the Coach. This Story is Coach Oken's direct response to Ron's letter.
Then (1965)
Ron:
I can't express how great your letter made me feel. I do remember you. Dave Rounds and Maury Neville (Butch Neville) have come by to visit me a couple of times. I found your story very touching.
If you are interested, you can Google me. Also pull up my companies: Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center and River Way Ranch Camp. That should give you an idea of what I have done in my life after coaching. To think that someone that I coached over 50 years ago still remembers my quotes that I made so many years ago is amazing. The hardest part of reading your letter was to find out you were 66 years old. It would be embarrassing to me to share with my wife that I coached such an old man.
Ron, I have always had this philosophy of life.
When I turned 40, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I coached in college and started my own Children's Camp on leased property.
When I turned 50, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I purchased California's First Dude Ranch and converted into the Children's Camp.
When I turned 60, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I turned over the camp operation to my children and served 10 years as Fresno County Supervisor.
When I turned 70, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I retired from politics and was a consultant for businesses in financial trouble. I chaired the Giants AAA baseball team advisory board for the past 9 years. I started The San Joaquin Political Academy.
I can't express how great your letter made me feel. I do remember you. Dave Rounds and Maury Neville (Butch Neville) have come by to visit me a couple of times. I found your story very touching.
If you are interested, you can Google me. Also pull up my companies: Wonder Valley Ranch Resort and Conference Center and River Way Ranch Camp. That should give you an idea of what I have done in my life after coaching. To think that someone that I coached over 50 years ago still remembers my quotes that I made so many years ago is amazing. The hardest part of reading your letter was to find out you were 66 years old. It would be embarrassing to me to share with my wife that I coached such an old man.
Ron, I have always had this philosophy of life.
When I turned 40, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I coached in college and started my own Children's Camp on leased property.
When I turned 50, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I purchased California's First Dude Ranch and converted into the Children's Camp.
When I turned 60, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I turned over the camp operation to my children and served 10 years as Fresno County Supervisor.
When I turned 70, I said I have the 10 most productive years ahead of me. I retired from politics and was a consultant for businesses in financial trouble. I chaired the Giants AAA baseball team advisory board for the past 9 years. I started The San Joaquin Political Academy.
Now
I along with a few others raised over 3 million dollars of private money and bought an old 120 room hotel, converted it to a home for homeless mothers and their children.
So I will be 86 in August and still working and can't wait to find out what
my next career will be when I grow up.
If you have any photos of your basketball teams that you played for at Cleveland I sure would like to see them.
On August 16 of this year Fresno State University and the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be hosting a Stan Oken Day. They want me to discuss my book and all the money raised would be used for scholarships. They want me to invite students that may have had life changing experiences by teachers.
I know it would be a lot to ask but I would be honored if you would be able to spend a few days with us and share your story at that event.
Thank you for remembering me.
Stan Oken
Chairman Western Camps Inc.
Wonder Valley Resort
River Way Ranch Camp
6450 Elwood Road
Sanger, CA. 93657
So I will be 86 in August and still working and can't wait to find out what
my next career will be when I grow up.
If you have any photos of your basketball teams that you played for at Cleveland I sure would like to see them.
On August 16 of this year Fresno State University and the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be hosting a Stan Oken Day. They want me to discuss my book and all the money raised would be used for scholarships. They want me to invite students that may have had life changing experiences by teachers.
I know it would be a lot to ask but I would be honored if you would be able to spend a few days with us and share your story at that event.
Thank you for remembering me.
Stan Oken
Chairman Western Camps Inc.
Wonder Valley Resort
River Way Ranch Camp
6450 Elwood Road
Sanger, CA. 93657
Coach Oken's Bee Basketball Team, 1965
Below is a recent interview with Stan Oken, conducted by a local television service, where he talks about an aspect of his life today.
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Coach Oken's Cee Basketball Team, 1965
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Comments
Incredible story, Coach! I had no idea that you had gone on to such a selfless, giving life helping young men and women. I would never have guessed you'd get into politics either.
Like Ron and the others, you had a very positive effect on my life. You were a taskmaster and I benefited from the way you taught us to focus and do what needed doing. I did hate that darn whistle of yours during the wind sprints you put us through, though.
My only regrets were that I badly sprained my ankle half way through the season, and I never mastered laying up left handed.
I look forward to seeing you in August. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us.
Jeff Davis
Like Ron and the others, you had a very positive effect on my life. You were a taskmaster and I benefited from the way you taught us to focus and do what needed doing. I did hate that darn whistle of yours during the wind sprints you put us through, though.
My only regrets were that I badly sprained my ankle half way through the season, and I never mastered laying up left handed.
I look forward to seeing you in August. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us.
Jeff Davis