Joseph Bernard Dauer

March 13, 1929 – May 24, 2019

Born in East Saint Louis, Illinois, to Joseph Dauer and Hazel Broichhaus Dauer, both of East Saint Louis, Illinois. Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA on Friday July 12, 2019 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers the family recommends a donation in Red’s memory to the Golden Oaks Senior Group in Running Springs, American Legion Post 790 in West Covina, American Legion Post 360 in Lake Arrowhead, or the Pacific Coast Showmen’s Association in Upland, Ca.

Red’s parents divorced in 1938. Red and his older brother, Gene (1925-2013), moved to Southern California with Hazel in 1939. Hazel opened a boarding house in LA and later worked as a riveter for Lockheed Aircraft during WWII where she met her second husband Herbert Carson.

As a child he had very red, curly hair. Walking with his mother to his first day of school he informed her that if anyone called him “Red” he would punch them in the nose. Some years later someone remarked that he had his mother’s red hair. He responded “No, hers comes from a bottle”. It did not take long before he was known as “Red” and except for his time in the service was seldom called anything else.

Red was always a free spirit. After his brother joined the Marines in 1944 Red held several part time jobs, eventually ending up in Big Bear working at the Arcade in 1945. In 1947 Red decided to launch his own business. He worked as a concessionaire with many of the big-name carnivals of the day and traveled the United States and Canada. He is credited with inventing several carnival games still popular today. One such game was the result of refusing to pay off a corrupt politician and his “goons” for being “allowed” to operate a particular game at the California State Fair. He refused to make payment, tore out the game in question and created a new game over night. After retiring from the travel circuit, he operated many of the permanent food concessions in the LA County Fair Fun Zone for many years. For years it was a family affair staffing his concessions every year at the County Fair, as well as for corporate picnics, community carnivals around Southern California, and other events.

In 1951 Red followed in his brother’s footsteps and joined the Marines. Brother, Gene, stepped in to Red’s concession business to help keep it running. While he was never deployed to the Korean conflict, he did manage to continue his carnival career while stationed at Camp Pendleton. When he learned there was to be a carnival and rodeo held on the base to raise funds for the Naval Relief Fund, Red jumped in with both feet. Crafts Shows and many of his carnival friends were providing rides for the event. Red was instrumental in designing and constructing all of the booths for the carnival. The event raised over $40,000, almost double over the previous year. Red was honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1953 and returned to his concession business. In the 80’s Red transitioned out of the carnival/amusement business into industrial salvage, from which he later “retired”. Red was a longtime member of the Pacific Coast Showmen’s Association, becoming President in 1961. He was the eldest living Past President when he passed at age 90.

Red and his wife, Edna, moved from San Gabriel where he had his business headquarters, to West Covina in 1961. Uncle Red was always a favorite and threw the very best Christmas parties every year. Judy’s wedding reception was held at Uncle Reds home. Gena and her husband, Mitch, ultimately purchased Red’s West Covina home when he moved to Running Springs. Judy and Gena’s grandsons all love coming over for a swim and BBQ.

While Red never had any children of his own, he was always a second father to his nieces, Judy and Terri. They grew up playing in his headquarters yard and transitioned to employees at early ages, working the LA County Fair every year, as well as community events. Judy’s daughter, Gena, was nearly born at the Fair, being born on Monday after the opening weekend. Unfortunately, Red’s brother, Gene, and his daughter, Terri, both passed away in 2013 within a month of each other.

He had always been one to lend a helping hand wherever needed. If someone needed a job, Red would hire them. If there was a community need, Red would find a way to assist. He never met a stranger and was a friend to all. After moving to West Covina, he joined the American Legion Post 790, becoming Commander 1978-1979. He received many commendations during his years of membership. Following Edna’s death Red met Marie Malstrom through the Post and cared for her through a long illness prior to her death. Other longtime friends from the Post were Tom and Yanna Fuquay.

Following the deaths of Marie Malstrom and Tom Fuquay, Red and Yanna discovered they both had a lot in common and a mutual desire to leave the San Gabriel Valley area. Yanna owned a cabin in Running Springs and they decided to relocate there in 2004. Red sold his salvage business and “retired”, but only temporarily. Once he moved up the hill he quickly got involved in the community, joining the American Legion Post 360 and the Golden Oaks Senior Group, among other things. As usual, Red hit the ground running and never looked back. The Golden Oaks Thrift Store was right up his alley and he embraced it whole heartedly. He served as Golden Oaks President, Parliamentarian and Thrift Store Manager over the years. He gave generously to the community in many ways and encouraged others to do so also. As usual, he was always there to provide a job, a bed or a helping hand when needed. Sadly, he lost Yanna to cancer after a long battle but elected to remain on the hill where he loved living and serving the community.

When Red was diagnosed with cancer in July, 2018, he stated right up front that he had no intention of fighting it. He had been through it with his parents, an uncle, his brother and sister in law, a niece and two girlfriends and he did not want to do it again for himself. He put his affairs in order and handed out his instructions. He did, however, have a goal he was determined to achieve. That was to reach his 90th birthday, making him the longest-lived member of his family. The doctors said 6 months would be stretching it, but he needed 8 months to achieve his goal. His second goal was to die at home. He was fiercely independent and had always been the giver. He hated relying on others for assistance, even going so far as to drive himself down the hill to the emergency room several times because he didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, much to the consternation of friends and family. Thanks to the loving care of Chris and Marci Hernandez and many other friends on the hill he was able to achieve both of his goals. In March Red was honored by the community with a wonderful 90th birthday party at the Community Center. At that time, he was encouraged by his family and friends to set a new goal and he briefly considered going back to work at the thrift store part time. Unfortunately, as his legs, eyes and appetite began to fail him he told his family he was done.

Red passed peacefully at home on May 24, 2019. He is survived by his niece, Judy Dauer Conacher (Bob), her children: Ian Conacher (Teresa), Gena Conacher Fowlkes (Mitch), Judy’s grandchildren: Cirdan and Caullen Conacher, Kyle (Allie) and Karli Fowlkes, and great grandsons: Hunter and Mason Fowlkes, Judy’s nieces: Corrie and Ceilidh and their children, and second cousins Patty Dauer Travis, John, Jim and Laura Dauer and their children. Red was loved and admired by all and his passing has left a huge hole in the family, the community and the organizations he loved and supported.

Many thanks to all of you for loving and caring for Red and being a part of his life over the years.

Sincerely,

Judy Dauer Conacher

Niece