Fladeboe, Ray, auomotive pioneer and founder of the Fladeboe Automotive Group, died November 27th as a result of heart complications. He was 85. Fladeboe was born on January 2, 1925 in Willmar, Minnesota to Sigurd and Ragna Fladeboe where he was raised until his WWII service in the US Marine Corp brought him to Southern California. He was honorably discharged in 1946. After a brief stint in banking and auto loans, Fladeboe discovered sales and what would become his lifelong passion, automobiles. His love for his craft fueled his success and eventual national notoriety when he was recognized as Lincoln Mercury's top salesman in both 1955 and 1956. Shortly thereafter, he began to think about opening his own auto sales business. His vision became a reality in 1961, when Fladeboe opened his Mercury dealership in Bellflower. After several successful years, the dealership added Lincoln to its stable. Fladeboe continued to own and operate the dealership until he sold the business and started planning a new vision that would revolutionize the landscape of the automotive business in Orange County, California. Fladeboe conceived the idea of an "auto center" with multiple large dealerships built in a single location to make it easier for customers to shop for new cars. Anticipating the growth of Orange County, Fladeboe met with key land developers in the area and joined forces with Phil Long and Joe MacPherson to build the Irvine Auto Center which continues to thrive as Southern Californiafs first auto center. His own auto corporation quickly grew to multiple dealerships in Orange County, including Fladeboe Honda, Fladeboe Volkswagen and Fladeboe Buick-GMC. Today, Fladeboe's business and his legacy continue as a family owned business with over 200 employees. Fladeboe was an avid sportsman. He had a lifelong love of golf and was a member of Thunderbird Country Club, Morningside Country Club and Mission Viejo Country Club. He enjoyed his annual hunting and fishing trips with his nephew's in his home state of Minnesota. Fladeboe was also passionate about football and baseball and had a longtime affiliation with the Angels baseball team. Ray Fladeboe touched the lives of many people and was consistently recognized and honored for his service to his country, his pioneering role in the automotive industry and for his plentiful contributions to his community. He is survived by daughters, Candice Kaltenbach (Eric), Denice Fladeboe Mock (Brian), Renae Fladeboe Wilkinson (Dave) and son, Bruce Fladeboe; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. He will be missed by all of those who were fortunate to know him. A memorial service for Rayburn W. Fladeboe will be held Saturday, December 4th, 2010 at 2pm at South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway in Monarch Beach, California. He will be laid to rest in Willmar, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, donations will be graciously received by the American Diabetes Association or The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs Memorial Fund (AOCDS).
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