Posted on: Stanislaus County Obituaries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ca/StanislausObits/10927 Surname: LA CORE, THOMPSON ------------------------- Obituary from Modesto Bee, Friday, Dec. 8, 1995, p B1 and B2 MINISTER, ACTIVIST 'BUD' LA CORE DIES Modesto tire merchant found new calling By Dennis Roberts Bee staff writer The Rev. Walter C. "Bud" La Core, a clergyman and community activist who left a succesful tire business to enter full-time ministry 21 years ago, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 65. Rev. La Core joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Modesto in 1974 as associate minister of stewardship - a title later changed to development - a post he held until his death. "He wanted to invest all he could in the eternal kingdom and to help others to understand God and invest eternally as well," said the Rev. Wade Estes, pastor of First Baptist church. Rev. La Core was one of Modesto's most visible ministers, even though he never served as a senior pastor. Both before and after his venture into full-time ministry, he was well known for his contributions to the community. Born Feb. 27, 1930, in Santa Monica, he moved to Modesto with his family in 1936. He graduated from Modesto High School in 1947 and subsequently served two years in the Army. He worked for Valley Tire Sales for several years, then took over La Core Tire Co from his father in 1957. He rapidly became a prominent figure in the community, receiving the Modesto Jaycees Outstanding Man of the Year award in 1959 and the American Legion's Man of the Year award in 1970. He had served as president of the Modesto Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Modesto Lions Club. He was a charter member of the Stanislaus County Local Agency Formation Commission, and served on the panel for 14 years, three of them as chairman. He headed the public utilities section of the 1964 Forward Modesto Committee. He participated in efforts to build the new Don Pedro Dam and helped raise funds for the Boy Scouts, YMCA, United Way and other organizations. He discovered a new calling in 1965 when he attended a meeting of Christian businessmen and dedicated his life to Christ. "From that time, Bud was God's man in our midst," said longtime friend and former Modesto Mayor Peter Johansen. In 1974, the Rev. William E. Yaeger asked Mr. La Core to leave his tire business to join the staff of First Baptist. "I feel I was called by God," Rev. La Core told the Modesto Bee at the time. "It was a shaking experience to be asked to change the direction of my life. But the support of my family and business partner, John Tatoyan, and my own personal prayers convinced me this is what God wanted me to do." "Bud was truly a servant who turned from the pursuit of making money to the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Yaeger said Thursday. "Much of the success of the ministry of First Baptist Church must be credited to him, for he worked tirelessly in the ministry." Rev. La Core was one of the founders and a former director of Citizens Leading Effective Action Now, or CLEAN, a Modesto anti-pornography group. He served in several leadership posts for the National Association of Church Business Administration. "Bud often prayed that he would not retire, but work up to his last day," Yaeger said. "His prayer was answered. We shall miss him." Rev. La Core is survived by his wife, Eleanor; children, Thomas E. La Core, Stanley W. La Core and Yvonne M. Thompson, all of Modesto; and seven grandchildren. A memorial srvice will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church. Remembrances may be mde to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 4309, Modesto 95352. Transcribed by Judy Ewbank