OBITUARIES - MARCH 2020

April 1, 2020

Carl Dean Neaterous

Carl Neaterous, 77, of Dardanelle, Ark., died on Oct. 9.

Neaterous was a chief petty office in the United States Navy of the Vietnam war era. He gave more than 20 years of service to his country. 

Neaterous was a member of the American Legion in Little Rock and was the Zoning Commissioner of Manteca, Calif.

No stranger to senior softball, Neaterous served as a representative for Region 3 in the Northern California Senior Softball Association (NCSSA). He presided over NCSSA for five years as its president, while serving on the board from 1995 until 2008.

Neaterous was inducted into the NCSSA Hall of Fame in 2009.

He started playing senior softball as a member of the Lodi softball association, where he served as both vice president and president, as well as the manager of Neat Roofing.

He proudly wore a ring that he earned by participating 15 years in the Huntsman World Senior Games, to go along with four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Neaterous last played in SSUSA in 2010 at the Winter World Championships in Las Vegas with Physiomotion, Men’s 65 AA. The team finished in third place in the eight-team division. He also played with California Olden Bears and Grumpy Old Men, among others.

John David Griffith

John Griffith, 71, of Kirkland, Wash., died on Oct. 11.

After graduating from the University of Tulsa with a business degree, Griffith moved to Seattle. Known as the "Cookie Man" during an early sales job with Nabisco, Griffith worked in real estate for over 40 years.

Griffith was inducted into the USSSA Washington State Hall of Fame in 2008 in the Manager/Coach category. His team, The Fellowship, won the 1994 Church “A” State Championship and ranks as one of the all-time great moments in Griffith’s career with USSSA Washington.

Griffith, a long-time member of SSUSA, was a member of the Vancouver USA 50s, 55s, 60s, and 65s teams, among numerous others. He also managed Waterford Realty 65.

John Patrick Cronin

John Cronin, 61, of Petaluma, Calif. died on Nov. 9.

Cronin began playing in SSUSA in 2010, and has played with Sonoma County Crush 50 and 55.

He last played in 2018 with Sonoma County Crush 55, participating in the Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup, Western National Championships, and LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships.

Norman “Obie” O’Brien

Norman O’Brien, 78, of Cranston, R.I., died on Feb. 15.

O’Brien was a U.S. Army veteran and worked in the floor covering business until his retirement. He was an outstanding athlete throughout his youth and was chosen to play on the U.S. Army traveling baseball team while stationed in Germany. 

O’Brien enjoyed playing tennis and golf, but his true passion was playing senior softball.

A long-time member of SSUSA, O’Brien began playing in 2006 with NASSA Flooring 60 and then the 65 team. Beginning in 2010, O’Brien started playing with the Cozy Grill/CAM HVAC/VFW Tabor Franchi teams in the 65, 70, and 75 divisions.

At the 2014 TOC, O’Brien helped lead his Cozy Grill team to the championship in the 70 AA Division. For his efforts, O’Brien earned All-Tournament honors and was named Team MVP.

“Norm was one of my closest friends,” said Emilio Notarantonio, manager of Cozy Grill 75, and Rhode Island/Cape Cod Director in the SSUSA Clubs and Leagues Program.  “For the last 25 years, we have shared many unforgettable times and celebrations with both our families. He was not only a great friend and teammate; he was a true gentleman and loved by everyone who knew him.”

James Theisen

James Theisen, 82, of South San Francisco died on Feb. 28.

Theisen was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (NSSHOF) in 1999 in the Player Category.

Theisen played with some of the top teams in California, including the Nor Cal Bluejays and San Francisco Seals. He last played in SSUSA in 2009 with Redwood City Blues at the Rock ‘n Reno Challenge Cup.

Jim, along with his brothers Tom and Bob, started Theisen Brothers Glass in the 1960s.

Daniel Raymond “Wolfy” Wolfram

Dan “Wolfy” Wolfram, 59, of Big Rapids, Mich., died on March 18.

Known as a jack-of-all-trades, Wolfram attended engineering school and worked as a self-employed contractor. He was also active in the Big Rapids Men's Softball Association.

Wolfman made his SSUSA debut in 2010 at the Northern Championships with Doug and Don’s Auto Care 50 AAA.

Wolfman would not play SSUSA again until the 2017 season, where he helped lead his team, TMS Michigan, to victory at the LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championship in the 40-team Men’s 55 AAA Division. Wolfman would also help lead his team to a win at the Tournament of Champions a few months later, to complete a memorable 2017 campaign.

For his efforts, Wolfman was named to the All-Tournament Team in both tournaments.

Wolfman again played with TMS Michigan during the 2018 season as the team moved up to 55 Major. He once again was an integral part of the team’s success, helping to guide the team to runner-up finishes at both the ISA Senior World Series and Northern Championships. Wolfram was named to the All-Tournament team in both tournaments.

In 2019, Wolfram played with Larry’s Tire-Raiders-NTB 55 Major and participated in the inaugural Music City Classic with Area 51 Softball 50 AAA.

“I received several calls the last few days from some of Wolfy's former and current team mates,” said Dirk Lane, manager of TMS Michigan. “With tearful voices, they were looking for verification that The Big Cat, as he was known due to his 6-foot, 5-inch frame, was truly gone. Several of the guys mentioned they would miss the ‘Wolfyisms’. That is a term we coined for Wolfy's life lessons/antidotes. Usually they were related to marriage/divorce and really funny. A sad goodbye to our chef, music director, teammate and friend. Peace out Wolfy.”

Russell Uda

Russell Uda, 73, of Sacramento died on March 29.

Uda, a long-time member of SSUSA, was a mainstay with the Sacramento Buds 55, 60, 65, and 70 teams.

"I always looked forward to seeing Russ at the manager meetings, as well as at the field," said Fran Dowell, SSUSA Executive Director. "Russ had an amazing spirit and love of the game. I will miss seeing him throughout the season."

The 2017 season was banner year for Uda and his Sacramento Buds.

The team completed the elusive Triple Grand Slam in the Men’s 70 AA Division - winning both the Western National Championship and the LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championship.

Individually for his efforts, Uda earned All-Tournament honors at the 2013 LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships and the 2014 Original Tournament of Champions.