Donna J Singmaster
Born to Ella and William ‘Bill’ Singmaster in Ft. Scott Kansas in 1916, the second child of six and first son. Named Clarence but his friends called him ‘Sing.’ They lived in a 3 bedroom farmhouse that had no indoor plumbing.
Bill grew crops but had a knack for animal husbandry and early on, gave Clarence responsibility for raising a lamb named Billy who would come running when Sing called. His dad would take Clarence along on chores, often letting his boy drive a horse-drawn wagon while Bill fed the cattle and sheep. He started riding horses at age five, delivering water to the farm-hands. Thus began a lifelong love of horses. His father later bought him a Shetland pony and cart so he could drive his two sisters to and from grade school.
At 5 years old, his first big adventure was when his father bought a new 1921 Model T Ford touring car with side curtains. Bill arranged for a friend to tend to the farm, packed up his family and headed to Montana to visit Ella’s brother. For six months, they traveled over dirt and gravel roads, using a tent that attached to the car where his mom and dad slept on cots and the kids slept in the car. On their way home one night, they were asked to de-camp after a sheriff warned that the “Indians were on the warpath and there might be trouble.
At 10 years old, his father gave him a quarter horse and a brand new saddle. Sing named her Dallas. A real good pony, they were clocked going 45mph while galloping alongside a car. Dallas foaled Ribbon, a tall, lank pinto who lived for 37 years and all of Clarence’s kids learned how to ride her as they grew up.
Clarence loved the farm, loved animals and would have lived on a horse farm his whole life if he had his druthers.
Ella was a strong-willed mother who insisted her children stand up straight and learn music. She wanted Clarence to learn piano, but he wasn’t interested. She negotiated with him to learn coronet instead, paying 50¢ a week for his music lessons. He played at church and in the college band. When he joined the National Guard (Troop F in the cavalry), he played morning reveille, mess calls and taps. Standing on top of the hill, he loved the sound.
His first foray into sales was as a boy. He shot rabbits and sold them for 20¢ a piece. Always industrious, he later worked part time pumping gas, was a farm hand for his uncle and in the summer of 1934, he joined a combine crew traveling through Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. When the harvesting ended, he went to Montana to help his recently widowed aunt with her harvest.
His first salaried job was “lot boy” at a local Chevrolet dealer. After only six months, the owner promoted him to Service Manager. Surprised and unsure what to do, Clarence enlisted the help of the mechanics. Because they liked Clarence, they willingly came to his aid and showed him the ropes. Cars then became another big factor in his life. As a Chief Warrant Officer during World War II, he specialized in motorized transportation for the Army, 13th Airborne Division.
He met Kathryn McGuire at a dance. They dated for two years and were engaged when they eloped in 1941. Kathryn’s mother said she never worried about her daughter because she knew he would “have food on the table and a roof overhead.”
After the family moved to the Portland area in 1948, Sing took a job at Braley & Graham Buick, starting as a mechanic, then service writer, then salesman, and retired as sales manager in 1979. At his retirement party, he was lauded for his outgoing and sociable personality. Co-workers recalled that he was the fastest walker they had ever encountered. That earned him the nickname “Jet-Man”. If they were going any distance to conduct business, they’d often ask for a head start because they couldn’t keep up with him. He was a car guy.
Their first child, Linda was born in Escondido, CA. Son, Jimmie Lee, named after Sing’s best friend, was born in North Carolina. After the war, they had returned to Fort Scott where Mary was born. He worked briefly as a traveling salesman and excelled at the work. But he couldn’t stand being away from his family; he wanted to watch his kids grow up. To pursue better opportunities, they moved to Vancouver, WA, where Donna was born. Four kids, four states.
Clarence really enjoyed time with his kids. He taught them to ride horses and bikes. He had Linda riding horses at 18 months. He took the family camping and salmon fishing. He volunteered for the Boy Scout horse troop when Jim was young and escorted several overnight rides. He helped Jim work on his first cars. After Mary became a Rainbow girl, he joined the Masons so he could attend her meetings. He made popcorn for the family Sunday nights and Donna claims she’s never had better popcorn than her dad’s. He said his proudest accomplishment was having raised four independent and successful kids. He felt very, very lucky to have met and married Kathryn, his rock. He often says that he could not have asked for a better wife or family.
Adventures were an important part of his life. He was eager to experience new places and spend time outdoors. During his working years, they’d drive back to Kansas at least every three years to visit relatives. They took a different route each time so they could experience the sites and the beauty of the West. After retirement, he and Kathryn drove throughout the United States and Canada, visiting every state and seven Canadian provincial capitals. They toured Mexico, China, Russia, Europe and the British Isles. For twenty years, they spent their winters in San Diego.
He led a good life. He was devoted to Kathryn and loved his family and friends. With his ready smiles, cheerful teasing and warm hugs, he enriched the lives of those who knew him.
Clarence William "Sing" Singmaster
30 April 1916 - 21 April 2014