Blakemore

Claude Blakemore entered the Adytum on Nov. 24, 2006. He lived in San Diego after retiring from a long and successful career in banking, and he was the oldest Upsilon alumni at age 97.

“He loved UCLA and he loved his fraternity so much, he always talked about them,” His daughter Susan Robinson of San Diego said.

Blakemore was born in Los Angeles and studied economics at UCLA. He transferred to Univ. of Iowa, hoping to earn a football scholarship. He returned within a year, due to financial hardship during the Depression, joining his family in Santa Ana.

In 1937, Blakemore married Violet Alt, who worked as a legal secretary. They moved to San Diego in 1945, and Blakemore began his career with First National Bank as a trust officer.

By 1951, Blakemore was vice president and trust officer of First National. As the bank grew, he was promoted to president and CEO. He expanded the bank into Los Angeles and Orange County before retiring in 1972.

“The term I have used to describe Nibs is ‘straight arrow,’” said Bill Turnquist, a friend and colleague. “He was almost a throwback to days when your banker was your friend and absolutely trustworthy.”

In 1974, he joined colleagues to found one of San Diego’s first independent financial management firms, Rice, Hall, James & Associates, and served as a director until 1987. “A more delightful gentleman you couldn’t find,” Said Gray Rice, a partner with the firm.

Blakemore was active in the community. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts, receiving the Silver Beaver award for distinguished service. He served on boards of the San Diego Symphony and the San Diego Hall of Science. He was a former president of the California Bankers Association and on the executive council of the American Bankers Association.

Blakemore is survived by twin children, Bruce Blakemore of Monticello, Ark., and Susan Robinson of San Diego; brother Robert Blakemore of Palm Desert, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. His wife, Violet, died in 1995.