2013: Ramona Legend Gary Mayer, 72

Gary Mayer, who led a 1958 Ramona High team that raced to an 11-0 record and won the Southern California small schools championship, passed away at age 72  on Sept. 19 in Rialto, where he had resided since 1966.

Mayer scored 25 touchdowns and scored 43 points after touchdown in 1958 for a total of 193 that ranked as the second highest ever by a San Diego County athlete, one point behind the 194 that Oceanside’s C.R. Roberts scored in 1953.

Mayer was the 1958 Southern California small schools’ player of the year as the Bulldogs outscored their opponents, 514-53, and defeated Needles, 26-21, for the title.

Mayer was selected to play in the annual Breitbard College Prep football game, in which all-stars from San Diego County played a team of all-stars from the Los Angeles City Section in 1959.

Ramona was a premier team among schools with less than 500 enrollment, winning two Southern California championships under coach Glenn Forsyth and reaching the finals three times while posting a 42-4 record form 1954-59.

Mayer went on to play at Colorado State and San Bernardino Junior College but his career ended after a succession of injuries.

Gary’s brother, Grant, was the second leading scorer in the San Diego Section in 1961 with 15 touchdowns and 98 points.

A memorial service for Gary Mayer will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 27 at Montecito Memorial Park, 3520 E. Washington Street, in Colton.

A webpage for those who wish to leave memories and express their feelings has been established at Legacy.com and here:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=gary-mayer&pid=167056389