Obituary of Roy Singleton

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 9th for Roy "Jake" Singleton who passed away on May 10th. He was 83 years old. Jake attended Gault School, old Branciforte Middle School and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1948. One month later, Jake enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a basic Airman. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in 1952, with two and half years of service in foreign countries and at sea. He earned an Occupation Medal for service in Japan, a United Nations Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, Jake resumed civilian life as a mechanic. He worked at Putney Gas at Pacific and Laurel, B & D Motors on Water Street, Freedom Motorcycles, and retired as shop foreman at Triad Electric. Jake loved motorcycles. He was a District 36 Sidecar Racer, in which he was very successful. Jake was a lifetime Member of the Santa Cruz Ridge Runners Motorcycle Club, and was involved with many venues, including Motocross, Flat Track, T. T. Hill Climbs, Trials, Road Racing, Desert Racing, Cross Country, and Poker Runs. Jake was an official for the Club, serving as starter, timer, flagman, and announcer when he wasn't racing. Jake liked camping with friends and family, fishing, bird watching, and enjoying nature. He loved spending time at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, and feeding the birds on West Cliff Drive, at San Lorenzo Park, and at Corcoran Lagoon. He also loved the 49ers and the Giants. He was an American Red Cross blood donor, and a member of the National Geographic Society. He was also a founding member of the El Rio Mobile Home Park Cooperative on Pacific Avenue. Jake was preceded in death by his wife Christina, his parents Dave and Gladys Singleton, his brother Guy, and his sister Dorothy. He is survived by his sons, David and Aaron Singleton both of Santa Cruz, his daughter Lynn Singleton, of Nicaragua, and several grandchildren. Jake was a kind and loving man, always willing to lend a hand and an ear, and will be missed by many. May he Rest in Peace. There will be a Public Memorial held at V.F.W. Post #7263, 2259 Seventh Avenue, Santa Cruz, on Sunday, June 9, at 2 p.m., a pot luck luncheon will immediatley follow the memorial service. If you would like to help coordinate the June 9th event, please contact his son David, at 831-427-2860.