Vale Byron Bronson - SCMA president

by Southern California Marine Association on 14 Jul 2007 Southern California Marine Association president, Byron Bronson, 69, of Santa Ana, California passed away Monday, July 9 at Western Medical Center in Anaheim due to cancer related complications.

Bronson, a long-time cornerstone of the Southern California boating industry, will be missed by family, friends and business colleagues. 'Byron was a unique and special person,' commented SCMA Executive Director, Dave Geoffroy. 'He was my boss, but also a very close personal friend. Byron personified strength in judgment and character regardless of the situation. His work on behalf of SCMA was exemplary. His contributions and leadership will be greatly missed.'

Byron was a product of his Southern California up-bringing. He was a graduate of Huntington Park High School where he excelled in athletics, especially football. That led him to a gridiron career at the University of Texas, eventually entering the National Football League where he played for the Vince Lombardi coached Green Bay Packers at the first Super Bowl Championship in 1967 as a defensive lineman.

Following his pro football career, Byron turned to coaching at the high school level producing several football championships at Foothill and Tustin High Schools. He also pursued his life-long passion for classic hot rods and performance boating. In the 1970s, Byron and his son Joel became frequent participants at local APBA boat racing events. Byron also discovered that he had a talent for public speaking and he soon found himself behind the microphone at numerous boat races calling the action much to the delight of enthusiastic fans around the country.

In the early 1990s, Byron and Joel entered the marine industry, opening Bronson-Hill Propellers in Santa Ana, a successful boat propeller repair and servicing company which continues in operation today.

Over the past decade, Byron served several terms of office on the SCMA Board of Directors, elected its president on three separate occasions. In December 2006, Byron was presented with SCMA's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary service and contributions to the Southern California recreational boating industry.

Byron is survived by his son Joel, daughter Kelly and four grandchildren.

Further information at http://www.scma.com/press.htm