By Ron Vinatieri, F404944
August 2013
In 1960, several men living in California’s Pomona Valley region discovered that they had all bought a 1940-era Flxible bus from a dealer in Los Angeles. They each had the same concept of converting them for use as mobile camping homes. So, they shared ideas about how to strip the interior and add battery-powered lighting, 120-volt-AC outlets, insulation, plumbing for a sink, wood-veneer paneling, cabinets, bunk beds, tables, and possibly plumbing and a holding tank for a toilet. They took along a hot plate or Coleman stove for cooking and Coleman lanterns for lighting. Some installed 120-volt lighting systems to use when AC power was available at a camp location. Amateur or CB radios were desirable for communication. They acquired maintenance manuals and soon learned how to do the repairs and upkeep for their coaches.
These guys and their families decided to form a travel club that year, and they called it Royal Coachmen. Initially, ten families from the towns of Pomona, Ontario, Chino, Joshua Tree, and Claremont were involved. This area of Southern California provided access to the deserts, mountains, and beaches for year-round travel and camping.
By 1964, many of these families had signed up to become members in a new group called Family Motor Coach Association, which had formed in the eastern part of the United States. FMCA had a magazine with much-needed information that suited their coach-converting and camping purposes. Among them were Tom and Junia Duck of Ontario, California, who decided to hold a western region meeting of FMCA members and guests in February 1965, at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona. Thirty-six motor coaching families arrived for the event, plus five commercial units. Besides the Flxible bus conversions, motorhomes in attendance included a Brill and several other buses in various stages of construction. The first meeting was held in the stripped-out Brill owned by King and Georgia Kramer. Georgia and Betty Kandt served coffee and cookies as those in attendance sat on chairs and boxes or stood.
Paperwork was completed, and the election of officers was held. The group’s name would be the California chapter, and the newsletter would be called the “Spotlite.” The first elected officers were Tom Duck, L257, president; Dr. Chet Moore, F320, vice president; Ken Tompkins, F390, secretary and treasurer; and directors Dr. Truman Newberry (F588), Bob Dilday (F301), Don Norquist (F102), Ed Kramer (F653), Art Houston (F222), and Dr. Jim Holifield (L387). The editor of “Spotlite” was Junia Duck.
The charter was approved by FMCA on June 24, 1965, and California became the fourth chapter of FMCA and the first west of the Mississippi River. Many of those early members drove their buses to the first national conventions. Tom Duck was elected the fourth president of FMCA, serving from 1969 to 1972. Jim Holifield, who is still on the California roster, was chapter president in 1967 and 1968 and later helped organize a chapter in central California where he is still active today.
Charter members Bruce and Mary Johnston, F356, are still on our chapter roster and stop by and visit some of the rallies when they can. Dave Brooks, F332S, the son of Irving and Winifred Brooks, remembers the early days and how big the toolbox had to be. Coveralls, hydraulic jacks, and large wood blocks were necessary items. A spare transmission often was transported under one of the beds. He said two men could change out a transmission in three hours. Everyone carried spare parts in those days and needed them. It is hard to imagine doctors and other professional men dressed in coveralls and with grease under their fingernails.
The California chapter is still very active and has a membership of more than 200 motorhome-owning families. Beginning in 1976, the “Oktoberfest Rally” became one of the chapter’s largest annual events. It always draws a crowd of more than 100 member family motorhomes, guests, and volunteers from other local chapters. The biergarten and hot dogs have been hallmarks of the event, along with entertainment, live polka bands, and dancing.
The chapter will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015 and plans are under way for a mega-blowout celebration.
For more information about the California chapter, visit www.ccfmca.org or contact FMCA’s Chapter Services department at (800) 543-3622.