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Our South Gate Class of S'62 has lost one of its true individals. Greg Wethern succumbed at 4:44 PM on his 82nd birthday, March 31, 2026, to age-related complications from injuries suffered in a fall earlier in the month.
Greg was born March 31,1944 to Frank and Veronica "Ron" Wethern. He grew up in South Gate with his brother Brad, S'60, and sister Lynette, S'64, and attended San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School. Greg introduced himself to many of us in Junior High by coming to school one day with his head shaved!
Greg was one of the founders of the short-lived boys cheering group, the SGHS Ram Rooters. He was good friends with Leroy Von Herpen, S'62, and Jim Fahnstock, S'62. Jim spent alot of time with Greg and in their family home, and was married to Greg's sister, Lynette. Although their marriage ended, their family relationship stayed close and Jim and Greg's friendship continued through all these years.
Greg was married for a time to the former Susan Perkins, younger sister to classmate Peggy Perkins, S'62, and they had two sons, Andrew and Jason. Greg was employed in Security at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, and worked for years performing roadside assistance for the AAA.
Living in Bella Vista in Northern California, Greg didn't attend our later reunions. He also didn't have a computer himself, but he sent checks to support our website and for our reunions. When his brother Brad would visit him, he'd bring his laptop and go on our website so Greg could keep up with friends. Greg, Brad, and Lynette all attended the South Gate 1960 to 1965 Reunion in November, 2023 and it was great to see them! Greg proudly supported an amazing beard!
Greg is survived by a son, Jason, his sister, Lynette, and brother, Brad. He was predeceased by his other son, Andrew. May you rest in peace dear classmate.
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Jim Fahnestock
I was deeply saddened about my former brother-in-law and good friend Greg's passing and will miss our conversation when we would call one another on our birthdays and talk about our days in school together. Greg had a fantastic memory of those school days that always amazed me when I had forgotten most them, but would make me smile when he could recall them so easily. One of those memories was taking his dad's VW convertible, often without his dad's approval to places like Big Bear after I would paint a number on the door so it looked like we were in a road rally, in watercolor so we could take it off when we returned. Greg's dad worked nights so he was always asleep when we took the car and went wherever we wanted. When we returned we put the gas level back to where it was and with gas costing 50 cents a gallon then we still had some money left over. So I say rest in piece Greg and I'll see you down the road.
Ronald LeVar
I remember.......... and will see you again....
Paul Smith
I was saddened to hear about Greg's death. It was nice to see and talk with him at the reunion in 2023, along with his brother Brad and sister Lynette. Here is how I remember Greg: his wry sense of humor, his streaks of mischievousness, and his good heartedness.
Sue King (Ross)
I remember Greg from school. He was funny and had a good sense of humor. Was very likeable. Jackie Lanier said he callled her a few months ago and they had a nice conversation. I'm sure he is telling stories in Heaven. God bless.
Bonnie Benson (Concialdi)
I remember Greg in school being a really nice guy, kind of quite, but friendly even though I didn't know him that well. However, through the website and during all the planning of our reunions, Greg was very interested and, even though he lived far away, he helped us faithfully by sending checks to help make the reunions happen and website keep going! We had lots of fun conversations on the phone and I got to know his warm, fun, personality! We prayed for Greg when he had Covid and was struggling with health problems and were blessed when he and his brother, Brad, and sister, Lynette, came to the Combined '60-'65 Reunion! I will miss talking to him every now and then and hearing his happy voice!
Richard Pattie
In our senior year, for a few months Greg and I were close buds, which involved a lot of hanging out at Winchell's and the taco stand on Tweedy, as well as taking a few road trips up the coast. Greg was a great friend, cheerful, funny and fun. And he was definitely the coolest guy I ever knew! Really sorry he's gone.
Gary Oedekerk
So sorry to hear about greg's passing. He was definately one of a kind and a real fun guy. In junior high, we ate lunch together so I had first hand experience with his infamous hair modifications. As we were eating our lunch, it seemed like half the student body was standing on the benches around us just to get a glimps of Gregs BALD HEAD. Fun times!
Rest in peace, Greg