Paul Darafeev

As a "maker", and manufacturer, I clung to every word, to see how one of the most successful businessman operated, especially in lean times. It was one of those books that I literally could not put down, and was sad to get to the end, but much sadder that I was never able to meet the man. I did get close though. In one of those "stranger than fiction" moments, my wife gets an invite for a cruise in Newport Harbor. We had to meet at John Crean's home, on Lido Island, which he bought to dock his 129' yacht, the Donna C (named after his wife). So, I met Donna, and John was sick at the time and ot home. His son Johnny piloted the boat, and shared about some of the awesome fishing trips. He had actually opened an RV factory in Chino CA, and you may recall those white coaches that said See Ya! on the back. I tried to visit the factory one day, but the gate had just been locked, when they shut down. I like to ask folks if they've ever unloaded a 40' container. Well, if you put 3 end to end, you'd have to add another 9' to get to the full length of the yacht. Back to the 'dreamlike' cruise. Roger Williams serenaded us on a full sized grand piano. Pat Sajak was the MC (and my wife Leslie and I met his wife, Lezly). I grabbed a bite with Congressman Ed Royce, who shared how the Chinese were going into Africa, and poaching woods, and buying the logs directly from pastors, who really had no business selling off the precious resource. He shared how they put an end to that practice. I really had about a handful of folks that I've wanted to shake hands in my lifetime. Billy Graham (and now Franklin), and John Crean were two of my shortlist. I was intrigued on how he built that first prototype of the Bounder motorhome. He and a helper built it in his garage. He said if your prototype dumpster is not full, then you are not doing anything useful. He did not build the prototype in his huge factory, because he knew that all the naysayers would try to kill the concept, long before he could develop his legendary new RV. He was right, when the motorhome was unveiled, to the man, they said it was the ugliest thing they've ever seen. The logo, was one that John had quickly drawn on a Denny's napkin, of a kangaroo, bounding about. I wish I could have visited that garage, which was part of his Newport Beach Villa, which had streets and all. Sadly, they never moved into the mansion, and after Donna's death, it sold for just a fraction of what it originally listed for. John was like a real-life Forrest Gump; like when he finally caved in to the overly aggressive Porche salesman, who sold the Spyder, which was then returned to Germany, only to be shipped back, to James Dean, who would then be killed in it. John was also that "secret businessman", who had helped Robert Schuller, launch his Crystal Cathedral, but then did not have many nice things to say about Bob. I cannot find much on the co-writer, Jim Washburn, but if anyone knows of his whereabouts, I'd love to have a chat with him.