Arte Fairbanks

Education

Arte J. Fairbanks served from 1950 to 1983 as a Manteca High physical education teacher, coach, history and science teacher, counselor, as well as athletic director.

Known affectionately as "coach" by former players and students alike, Fairbanks is credited by thousands of Manteca High graduates as the ideal mentor of youth whose gruff exterior couldn't hide his genuine concern for students.

Two generations of Manteca's leaders and success stories - from businessmen and family men to former Manteca High football player Paul Wiggin who made it to the NFL as a player and coach - credit Fairbanks with providing a perfect role model for character, integrity, and commitment.

The World War II combat veteran has received seven teaching awards including the California Teachers Association's prestigious John R. Williams Teacher of the Year Award in 1983. He is also an inductee In the Green Mountain College Hall of Fame's 1996 class.

Bob Camden

Art

Robert "Bob" Camden taught English at Manteca High from 1959 until his retirement in 1995. He was viewed by students and colleagues alike as a teacher who could challenge those around him to think as well as appreciate the classics and the beauty of the written word.

Camden penned twice-a-week columns for nearly 20 years, first for the Manteca News, and then for the Manteca Bulletin. There are two "First Person" books that are a collection of his columns.

He also authored the biography of Antone Raymus. Camden, along with Raymus, helped found the "Give Every Child a Chance" that is providing tutoring services to Manteca Unified students.

Camden served in Europe during World War II.

Charles Giles

Business

Charles Leo Giles built Mountain Valley Express - a trucking firm with 250 employees, 400 pieces of equipment, five locations, and annual revenues of $13 million - on the backs of a dream, determination, and hard work.

Giles was working for a trucking company that was preparing to close its doors in 1967. He opened his own trucking business with just one truck specializing in less than truckload hauling. His big break came when Dana Corp. called him to haul freight. He didn’t have a truck available so he rented a U-Haul and backed the small truck up next to the loading docks at Dana right next to large trucks from more established carriers. His spunk impressed Dana and Mountain Valley Express was on the move.

He has built two terminal-headquarters in Manteca over the past 18 years including his latest in 1995 on 7.5 acres in the Manteca Industrial Park.

Giles is an active supporter of community endeavors including the Manteca Boys & Girls Club and Manteca Morning Rotary.

Dale Johnson

Community Service

Dale Johnson has dedicated nearly 50 years to improving the Manteca community. Johnson moved to Manteca in 1949 and opened his own photography studio. For 45 years, Johnson captured weddings, families, and celebrations on film.

In 1950, Johnson spearheaded the Manteca Jaycees drive to "Bring an Ambulance to Manteca." The drive was successful and Johnson has served on the Manteca District Ambulance board for more than 40 years. A room at the ambulance headquarters is named in his honor.

He has served as coordinator of the Manteca Community Blood Drive for almost a decade and takes a hands-on approach to his involvement with St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He is in charge of maintenance and building projects at the Manteca Historical Society Museum and has served on the Manteca Planning Commission, Manteca Chamber of Commerce board, and numerous business and cultural boards.

Dr. Edward H. Brasmer

At-large

Dr. Edward H. Brasmer ranks as the longest serving principal at Manteca High. Brasmer - who was known as "Smiling Ed" by his colleagues and students - was principal from 1972 to 1993 after working as East Union High vice principal in 1971-72.

Prior to moving to Manteca, Brasmer worked in the Grant Union High School District from 1959 to 1971 as a teacher, counselor, and head counselor.

Brasmer is credited with pushing for higher academic standards and was instrumental in securing the new library facility at Manteca High that carries his name.

Brasmer authored numerous procedure books and articles on education as well as producing a video focusing on career choices. He also served as a lay minister and eucharistic minister at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Manteca.

Dr. Russell P. Carter Sr.

Health Care

Dr. Russell P. Carter Sr. was one of the first modern physicians in Manteca. He joined Dr. Robert C. Winters in private practice in 1955. In his early days, he was on the staff of four area hospitals.

Dr. Carter also was one of the founding physicians of Manteca Hospital, the predecessor to Doctors Hospital of Manteca. He was a family practice specialist with various specialties. During his practice, he delivered 1,500 babies and treated over 10,000 families in Manteca.

He was team physician for Manteca High and served on the Manteca Unified School District board. He was active in Manteca Kiwanis, American Legion, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Masons, and the Scottish Rite Bodies

Gaspare Indelicato

Agriculture

Gaspare Indelicato immigrated to the United States alone at age 16 from Sicily. He came through Ellis Island and eventually settled in Manteca in 1924.

In 1924, Indelicato and his brother-in-law Sebastiano Luppino bought 68 acres in Manteca that included a run down dairy. They eventually converted the dairy into a vineyard. The brother-in-laws sold and shipped grapes to winemakers on the East Coast during the Prohibition Era.

The end of Prohibition prompted Indelicato to purchase used wine making equipment. In 1835, the Indelicato's officially started their small winery in a converted hay barn. The first year yielded 3,411 gallons that sold for 50 cents a gallon.

Indelicato passed away In 1962. His three sons - Anthony, Frank, and Vincent - as well as other relatives - carried on the wine making business. Today, Delicato Vineyards produces 40 million gallons a year and is the eighth largest winery in California. The firm employs more than 200 people.

James Miniaci

Education

A product of Lathrop and Manteca schools, Jim Miniacis career choice was in the field of education - back where he began. After graduation from the College of the Pacific in 1950, he began as a fifth grade teacher at Lindbergh School. After serving as a teacher, he went on to become a principal, curriculum consultant, and a school district administrator.

While a supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for the Manteca Unified School District, Jim formed and chaired the District Attendance Review Board. The board held hearings for students with serious attendance problems. Later, he established and chaired the district's Disciplinary Review Board. It provided for the maintenance of acceptable student discipline standards throughout the entire school district.

The final four years of his 35-year career were served as Director of Special Services/Child Welfare and Attendance. He found appropriate placements to meet the needs of special education students and supervised special education personnel.

His interest in the welfare of children expanded into the community where he served on numerous committees with local agencies that focused on in-need and at-risk children and adults. These committees included: San Joaquin County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, Manteca CAPS and Manteca Probation, Police and Sheriffs Stay in School Program.

The effects and successes of Jim Miniaci’s career not only can be measured by these achievements, but also by the heartfelt thanks that he now regularly receives from those upon whom he made the most impact - his students.

Ted Nuce

Athletics

Ted Nuce won the 1994 Professional Bull Riders World Championship and has made a record 14 straight world championship appearances. He qualified and competed in the finals from 1982 through 1996. The world championship is the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl in rodeo circles.

Nuce also was a four-time runner-up to the world title in the National Finals Rodeo Championship.  Nuce also won the 1994 Professional Bull Riders Title.

Nuce built his reputation in the rodeo world not only on his athletic abilities but for his gentlemanly manners that are an outgrowth of his deep Christian beliefs.

The 1979 Manteca High graduate retired from riding after the 1996 season.

Nuce moved to Manteca in the early 1970s and enrolled as a fourth grader at Nile Garden School. Nuce joined the rodeo circuit as a bull rider in 1980, a year after graduating from high school.

Ted Poulos

Government

Ted Poulos is a lifelong Manteca resident who was the pharmacist/owner of Manteca Drug from 1952 to 1995.

Poulos also is founding director and chairman of the board for Delta National Bank. The Manteca-board financial institution, founded in 1973, has nearly $100 million in assets.

His most viable public service post was as a San Joaquin Delta College trustee representing Manteca and the South County for 17 years before his retirement two years ago.

Poulos is a member of the Doctors Hospital of Manteca governing board, director and chairman of the Manteca District Ambulance, and is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church of Stockton and Modesto. Among the boards and committees he's served on are the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, Manteca Industrial Park Committee, Manteca Unified School District, Manteca Jaycees, and various business groups.

William "Bill" Perry

Government

William "Bill" Perry has resided in and around Manteca his entire life. Born on June 13, 1923, he has always subscribed to the rule that a hard days work left a conscience unfettered. He learned his work ethic and first trade from his father, Ed, a mechanic. Mr. Perry's sense of community, giving of his time, and desire to improve the area for future generations, led him to successes in a number of government and community programs because of his vision.

The late Antone Raymus mentored Bill in a very successful real estate and development company. Mr. Perry developed a sense of responsibility and concern for the community, and his developments were designed to reduce the flooding that he had witnessed as a young man in Manteca.

In consortium with other influential community leaders, he later lobbied for the creation of Highway 120 Bypass that has helped save lives and alleviated the weekend holiday traffic congestion through the middle of town.

Mr. Perry had always demonstrated his love for his hometown. He served on the City Council from November 1983 until November 1994, when he was elected Mayor and served in that capacity through November 1998. He continues to offer his opinion and guidance in areas of development and on the future of Manteca.

William Perry had been involved in all aspects of the community. He had a role in the development of an "all volunteer" ambulance service. He has preservation concerns and has voiced them regarding the balance of agriculture and responsible growth. He exercised his vision and commitment to the community by serving ultimately as our Mayor.