John W. Klug

Legendary Southern California Builder

July 18, 1928 – May 10, 2007

John W. Klug, 78, of La Quinta, California, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died unexpectedly on May 10, 2007 at La Quinta.

John was born in Palm Springs, California on July 18, 1928 to Louise and Frederick Klug. Fred had a bricklaying business, and, as a teenager, John helped him during the warm Palm Springs summers. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Architecture in 1953, John cut his teeth in Orange County’s building industry at the Macco Corporation, a family-owned company, before he started Pacesetter Homes, Inc. and went on to become one of Southern California’s legendary builders of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Adding to his business accomplishments, John was an expert motorcycle racer, participated in car racing and was the owner of numerous cars driven by famous drivers in the Indy and Can-Am series. Watching him race his Cobra at Riverside Raceway or Laguna Seca was seeing the man in his element. He also enjoyed surfing, trips to Baja, snow skiing with family, and, more recently, golfing and gathering with friends, both old and new.

John is survived by his wife of 11 years, Paula Klug, his daughter and her husband, Steve and Katherine Klug Zeiser, his son and his wife, Michele and John W. Klug, Jr., his son and his wife, Lynn and Kurt M. Klug, his son and his wife, Sandra and Eric A. Klug, 14 grandchildren, his sister, Mary Klug and her sons, Mike Raphael and Mark Raphael.

Memorial services for John W. Klug will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 19, in La Quinta. Please call 949-717-6687 for further information.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with John’s established history of generous giving to the community, contributions can be made to: The Jester & Pharley Phund, P.O. Box 817, Palos Verdes, CA 90274.