THE CROWD:Tribute to a great American: John Crean

Funeral services are scheduled today for John C. Crean. At 1 p.m. the Crystal Cathedral will no doubt welcome a large assemblage of important folks who will come to pay their final respects to a man who lived to be 81 and touched many lives. Beyond the bankers and elected officials, beyond the leaders of business and society who will come to bear witness to a most unusual and accomplished life, there are thousands if not tens of thousands of people, young and old, who did not know John Crean, founder of Fleetwood Enterprises, husband of 58 years to Donna, father of four, grandfather, great-grandfather, employer of thousands.

They did not know him, perhaps never even knew his name or his face or his legendary pat-on-the-back, Horatio Alger personality. But he was influential, even instrumental in improving their lives. For Crean, with his cherished Donna, gave away money to help people in extraordinary measure.

Children’s charities ranked at the top of the list. The Creans were instrumental in bringing an organization known as the Children’s Bureau from its headquarters in Los Angeles to a second base in Orange County. As one of Southern California’s oldest child-welfare foundations, the bureau, which began as an adoption agency at the dawn of the 20th century, today rescues abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Some years ago, the Orange County chapter of the Children’s Bureau began hosting an event known as “The Rubber Ducky Derby” at Irvine’s Wild Rivers water park. It is at this event that the image of Crean rings clear. In the picnic area at the water park, Crean — wearing a wild Hawaiian shirt, khaki trousers and a wide-brim straw hat — held court. Not in a regal, kiss-my-hand-kind-of-way. Rather, an open-armed, “come on in and have a burger and sit a while” kind of court. He was surrounded by his clan of family and longtime friends, which almost always included some grand old move stars — friends from the Creans’ days in Beverly Hills. So there was John schmoozing with his pals, Donald O’Conner and Milton Berle, Ann Jeffreys Sterling, Jack Carter and constant companion Jane Withers.

Strangers would approach John to introduce themselves. He would shake hands and smile, and turn to include his pals. “Say hello to Jane Withers,” Crean would say and make their day. It was no big deal to him, everyone was just “folks.”

I think it’s important to share that John would not want to be gushed over in his obituary. He wasn’t perfect, and he’d be the first to tell you that. He has been called a genius, but I think he’d downplay that too. What he was was a real, American guy. The kid from nowhere and nothing made good, despite the lack of a formal education.

Crean loved his children and their children, but he wasn’t a perfect dad. He told me in an interview some 10 years ago for the Bay Window Magazine that he wasn’t a guy who looked back with regret, but he wished he’d been there more for the kids when they were younger. That job was primarily in the hands of Donna.

While there were rough spats in a 58-year marriage, Donna was his rock. John was smart enough to know this above all else, and he hung on to what was good and true.

There may have been yachts in the harbor, a fleet of exotic cars in the drive at Village Crean, their main residence in Newport Beach, and million-dollar diamonds on Donna’s fingers, but John’s heart was essentially as simple and basic and human as can be. You might say he was a man of old-fashioned values with a mind that always looked forward to new horizons.

I asked John what motivated him to give so much to charity. First, it was all Donna’s idea, he told me. Then he said, “Heck, wouldn’t you rather do some good for folks who need help than pay everything to the government!” Later he added, “This is what makes America great. Where else can you give away money and deduct it from your tax bill. People complain about taxes, but our system is fair. I, for one, am proud to take advantage of it all.”

John Crean was a man you could count on. His loyalty was without compromise. He was ever gracious to rich and poor alike, to king and commoner. The world has lost a true man of the people, and we will be diminished by his absence.

Godspeed John Crean. Your time is up. Your job is finished. Others will have to carry the torch. You have left your mark, and your memory will resonate for a very long time to come.

For me, I’ll recall many occasions in your presence. I’ll miss the In-N-Out Burger truck in your backyard on your birthday. And every time I see a Fleetwood motor home, I’ll know you’re still a part of us all.

JOHN CREAN MEMORIAL

Memorial services will be held for local philanthropist John Crean at 1 p.m. today at the Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove.

A graveside service and reception will follow the main funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children’s Bureau of Southern California. For information, go to www.hotrange.com.