Carson City’s Jerald St. Clair celebrates 100th birthday

A Carson City man celebrated his 100th birthday on Saturday.

Jerald St. Clair was born on May 28, 1916, on his grandfather’s ranch outside of Portis, Kans. His family relocated to Tulsa, Okla., when he was still a young boy.

Growing up with a neighbor like “Pretty Boy” Floyd, the notorious gangster, is not something everybody can say they experienced. Jerald recalls the time he shot Floyd’s dog because it killed 38 of his rabbits. Jerald, a teenager at the time, marched over to his neighbor’s house and was not shy about telling them why he had shot their dog. In order to make it right, Jerald demanded to be compensated a dollar for each rabbit that was killed. Needless to say, his request was granted.

After joining the US Navy, Jerald married his high school sweetheart, Melvalee, and had three sons: Guy, Gary and Richard.

Jerald served in the Navy for six years before being honorably discharged. President Roosevelt had asked the Navy to request Jerald back for employment at Mare Island Naval Ship Yard in Vallejo, Calif., to build two atomic submarines. He retired after 30 years of service.

Jerald’s biggest ambition while working was to retire and travel.

In 1973, Jerald and Melvalee sold their homes and took up full-time travel trailing across the country in a 30-foot Silver Streak. The couple did this for about 20 years before settling down again in Mission, Texas, and then in Carson City.

Jerald loves listening to the big band era music which reminds him of all the dancing he and wife use to enjoy together. As a caring father would, Jerald instilled in his children to find work that would secure their future. His son Richard agrees that they were better off for that advice. They heeded it and therefore never had to want for anything. Jerald considers himself a perfectionist and was taught by his father that, “If anything is worth doing, it’s best doing it to the best of your ability.”