Obituary of Alvin Scarborough

Alvin Scarborough of Ben Lomond, California was born December 26th, 1946 in Kosciusko, Mississippi to Nena (Wilson) and Carlton Eugene Scarborough. He passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 18th, 2011 at the family cabin in South Lake Tahoe at the age of 64. Alvin is survived by his mother, Nena Scarborough, his brother Mike (Karen) Scarborough and sister Linda (Bill) Gilbert, and his beloved Jeannine. Alvin leaves his four daughters, Jeanna (Nico) Cianciarulo and their children Jordan, Kylie, Joey and Ruby, Krista (Jason) Freeland and their children Sid and Dallas, Mikala (Joe) Clements and their son Echo, Aricka Scarborough and Isaiah Woolworth and their son Haden and their mother, Vicki Scarborough. He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Jeff (Theresa) Gilbert, Jose (Jenny) Gilbert, Morgan (Rose) Scarborough, Karina (Paul) Scheidt, and Lindsay Scarborough. Alvin was preceded in death by his beloved Father, Gene Scarborough. Alvin and his family moved to Scotts Valley in 1955. He went to Scotts Valley Elementary and Junior High. He attended Santa Cruz High for 3 years and was in the first senior class at the new Soquel High in 1964. Alvin worked with his father from an early age at the family business, Standard Lumber Mills in Scotts Valley. Alvin and his brother Mike, and his sister Linda with her husband Bill opened the Scarborough Lumber and Hardware business next to the mill in 1968 in Scotts Valley on El Pueblo Road. He was very proud of not only carrying on the family business but being able to work with his own children and grandchildren. Alvin was a Vietnam Veteran. He was drafted in 1967 and went to Vietnam the day of the TET Offensive. He was named for his father's two brothers who died before he was born including his Uncle Alvin who survived the Bataan Death March in WWII but died in prison camp. His father, Gene, who survived as a POW 3 years in the Philppines was his hero not only as a veteran but as a kind, thoughtful, humble, hardworking man who loved his family and helped others. Alvin was proud to have served his country. His Christian upbringing taught him to be kind, not to pass judgement, help others, be generous and humble. His mother said that she always taught her children that they were as good as anyone else but not better than anyone else. He certainly was not perfect but he never stopped trying to care for others. He loved his family and was adored by his children. He spent a lifetime trying to help others. Alvin helped the Scotts Valley community by supporting the civic organizations, schools, businesses and clubs. He was president of SLV High Boosters, built baseball fields for Scotts Valley, was pro-active with the SV Chamber of Commerce, head of the Boulder Creek Golf Men's Club, on the Pasatiempo Golf Club Board and seemed to know everyone in town. Not only was he generous with donations, he was generous with his time. Alvin loved to play golf, fish, dance, read history books, coach, eat at In and Out Burgers, meet new people or just sit on his porch watching the sun go down with old friends. He managed to combine all these passions and in the last few years of his life to play golf at St Andrews with his brother, travel to Europe to see historic sites, fish from Alaska to the Sierras, play golf at Muirfield and North Carolina. More importantly, he got to dance at his daughters' weddings and be able to know each of his precious grandchildren. Everyday he brought his mother a crossword puzzle and always ended his calls with "I love you." He was never too busy to do something to make someone else's life a little brighter. Alvin always wanted to be the master of ceremonies. He was a natural comedian and helped raise a lot of money for charities as auctioneer by reminding others to be generous. His sister-in-law would have to wrestle the microphone away as his jokes progressed but he was always the favorite speaker. His sister, Linda, said he always took care of her. Mike remembers how Alvin always had to take his little brother along as a teenager so he ended up dumping him at the old Capitola theater when he went out or made him lay down in the back seat of his car while he cruised Beach Street. They remained loyal brothers and partners all his life. Alvin was a lifelong loyal friend to many people. Jim Kraft is an old friend and pastor who met Alvin at Twin Lakes Church. Jim said that loving and helping others is a basic Christian principle and Alvin lived his life doing it the best he could. He was always the one in the family who took care of everyone else. Jim added "you knew how much Alvin loved you by how much he insulted or teased you, but he would never hurt anyone on purpose." Alvin kept all of his cousins in Mississippi in contact and was the family representative at family celebrations. He cared for his employees. There are people who have worked at Scarboroughs all their careers, like Todd Ritchie, and are treated like family. He made sure that his children had all the support they needed. He hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt and family vacations that included not only his kids but everyone else's children. Alvin thoroughly enjoyed others. Alvin had more good friends than most people could meet in a lifetime. He never stopped being the kind of father, grandfather, son, brother and friend that the people he cared for loved. He will be missed, but always remembered with love. A celebration of Alvin Scarborough's life will be on Saturday, November 26th, 2011 at 1 pm at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, California. Burial will be private at Santa Cruz Memorial Park. Donations in Alvin's memory can be sent to Valley Churches United Missions, 9400 Highway 9 in Ben Lomond, CA 95005. All Scarborough businesses will be closed at noon on Saturday in honor of Alvin. The original Scarborough Lumber & Building Supply in Scotts Valley, and the Garden Center will be closed all day Saturday, November 26th.