Clarence John ("Bud") Zahner Resident of Oakland February 13, 1921 - September 29, 2012 Clarence Zahner has, as pilots would say, Flown West. He was one of the few remaining aviation pioneers to have flown the famed Pan American China Clipper from San Francisco Bay. He passed away last Saturday afternoon at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland, with many members of his large family at his side. His final landing was as smooth and peaceful as any in his long aviation career.
He was the husband of the late Luella Esther Zahner and of the late Ramona Barale Zahner. Clarence was born in a barn in California's San Joaquin Valley, the youngest of seven children born to Swiss immigrant parents. He spent his formative years attending Saint Anthony's Catholic grammar school in Oakland and graduated from Oakland High School. At the age of 22 he was hired by Pan American Airways and flew the famous Martin 130 flying boat the "The China Clipper." During World War II he flew military personnel and material to the South Pacific. He flew many aircraft for Pan American, including the DC3, DC4, DC6, Lockheed Constellation, Boeing 337 Strata-Cruiser, Boeing 707, and finally the Boeing 747. He was the consummate airline Captain, with a confident air about him - His white airline cap worn at a slight tilt. 
Bud enjoyed tennis and spent many hours on the court trying, with mixed results, to teach his children the joy of the game. He loved singing and playing the ukulele. He never met a microphone or dance floor he could pass up. After his retirement, Bud was a member of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club and an avid supporter of the effort to return the String of Pearls to the shores of Lake Merritt and a long time proponent of mass transit to Oakland Airport. He was also a frequent supporter of Mercy Retirement Center, his eventual residence, where his wife Luella worked and volunteered for over ten years.
After the passing of Luella in 1998, his wife of over 50 years (and at her suggestion), Clarence married their long time friend and his kindergarten classmate, Ramona Barale. They were happily married for 10 years until her death in 2009. Clarence is survived by 11 children, 33 grandchildren, and 17 great-grand children. His son Johnny died in 1982. His surviving children are: Carol Zahner of Walpole, Maine - Richard Zahner of San Jose, California - M'Lue Zahner of Harrisville, New Hampshire - Carl Zahner of Tallahassee, Florida - Joseph Zahner of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota - Paul Zahner of Germantown, Tennessee - Johanna Zahner Farrell of Bellingham, Washington - Thomas Zahner of Solingen, Germany - Marie Zahner DeBell of Seattle, Washington - Matthew Zahner of Walnut Creek, California - and Erika Lahud-Zahner of Bellingham, Washington. Services will be held this Friday the 5th of October at 10:45AM at Mercy Retirement and Care Center Chapel on Foothill Blvd. Donation in his name are welcome at Mercy Retirement and Care Center.
