Former Claremont/Pomona resident Jack C. Wooton died on February 26, 2009 at his home at the Hillcrest retirement community in La Verne. 

“Those who knew and loved Jack C. Wooton are mourning his loss,” wrote his eldest daughter, Cinda Moneyhun, in a remembrance. “A beloved husband, father, grandfather and teacher, Jack loved to learn, and shared that love with everyone he knew.” 

Mr. Wooton was born on August 1, 1922 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Carl and Esther Wooton and grew up in Wichita, Kansas.  

In 1942, he enlisted in the army, serving in the Pacific Theater as a member of the Army 3180th Signal Service Corps.  After serving his country honorably, he earned a degree from Emporia State Teachers College in Kansas in 1946.  The next year, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Jackson, whom he had met during his childhood in Wichita.

Mr. Wooton and his wife moved to California, eventually settling in the Claremont/Pomona area where he earned a master’s degree in Oriental affairs from Claremont Graduate School (now University) and began his long teaching career. 

A passionate teacher, Mr. Wooton taught history at Emerson Jr. High, Pomona High School and, finally, at Ganesha High School where he ended his career as dean of instruction.  Known for his challenging and engaging teaching style, his peers voted him “Teacher of the Year” in 1984.  His students were just as enthusiastic about their favorite teacher, voting him “Teacher Extraordinaire.”

“He expected his students to really dive into the subject matter and truly understand it, rather than gloss over it and memorize it and move on,” said his son-in-law, Patrick Moneyhun.

The insatiable curiosity that propelled Mr. Wooton to become an outstanding teacher also drove him to see the world.  He took advantage of his summers off, with travels spanning from England, France and the rest of Europe, to the Mediterranean, China and South America.

For decades, Mr. Wooton enjoyed making miniature ships and dollhouses, using an extensive set of specialty tools for this intricate hobby. He was also an avid reader: “To the end, he had a passion for books,” Mr. Moneyhun said.

Mr. Wooton is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Wooton; by his daughters and sons-in-law, Cinda and Patrick Moneyhun and Georgianna and John Cobb; and by his grandchildren, Marisa Moneyhun and Bryant and Lauren Cobb. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorials and Tributes Data Processing Department, 1710 Gilberth Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010-1795; www.americanheart.org.