Tag Archives: May 2015 final notes

Final Note: Ralph R. Gold, M.D. “The Jazz Doc”

Dr GoldHonorary Member
11/23/1925 – 4/2/2015

by Heather Gold, wife

Ralph R. Gold, M.D., affectionately aka “The Jazz Doc,” Honorary Local 47 Musicians’ Union Member since 2002, died April 2, 2015, in Rancho Mirage, CA. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nov. 23, 1925, he began playing bass at L.A. High School and played with the L.A. All-City High-school Orchestra and was principal bassist with the Peter Merenblum California Youth Symphony two of his high-school years. After a stint in the Navy, he had dance bands all through his undergraduate years at UCLA and later at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, getting his M.D. in 1953. He also played two seasons with the Doctors’ Symphony. He had an equal passion for running and was a cross-country runner starting in high-school, also at UCLA, and while there, was a record-holding half-miler. Continue reading

Final Note: Ray Acton

Ray ActonLife Member. French Horn
(8/8/1921 – 12/7/2014)

by the Acton family

Raymond Denny Acton, an accomplished French horn player and manufacturing engineer has passed away at 93. Ray was born in Roundup, Montana and was the youngest of four children. Ray was very passionate about music and developed a love for the French horn at a very young age playing in his elementary school band in Phoenix. After moving to Hollywood, he continued playing the French horn at Fairfax High School. Continue reading

Final Note: Robert Clay Searles

Note TreeLife Member. Vibraphone
5/16/1916 – 7/13/2014

By Jim Bigsby, nephew

Bob was born in Everett, WA, and grew up in Tacoma, WA, where he often had the lead role in Stadium High School’s musicals. In the summer of 1936 he drove his little Austin 1,500 miles south carrying his vibes on its back in wooden cases built by his father. Continue reading