Beloved SLO County car show founder is battling health issues. Here’s how to help
Car lovers and community members are coming together to help the founder of a popular San Luis Obispo car show as he battles health issues.
Self-described “car guy” Nate Fearonce started the Pinedorado car show, now a beloved part of Cambria’s annual Labor Day celebration, in 2007.
In 2019, the Cambria Lions Club tapped him to be the Pinedorado parade marshal.
Now close friend Debbie Beshears has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover housing costs and medical bills that Fearonce’s insurance won’t pay.
As of Tuesday afternoon, donors had contributed more than $8,500 toward a $20,000 goal.
“I’m overwhelmed with the response from the community,” Fearonce, 89, said. “It just humbles me. Someone came from Arizona just to see me this weekend. It brings tears to my eyes. Here, I’ve been doing what I enjoyed doing, but didn’t realize that people really noticed.”
US Air Force veteran battles medical issues
After serving as a U.S. Air Force radar system specialist, Fearonce left the military in 1959.
Since then his resume has included stints working on commercial airliners and the antenna system for one of the first orbiting solar observatory satellites, and manufacturing custom lamps and shades.
He’s worked on a variety of clocks and time systems, including for a Channel Island oil platform and what is now Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Fearonce spent 55 years creating his own unique show vehicle, a Chevrolet Corvair pickup with a supercharged Chevy small-block engine mounted in the bed.
He joined the Cambria Lions Club in 2003, launched and ran the some Pinedorado kids’ games for a while, and then began the Sunday car show.
“I enjoy giving people the satisfaction of showing their works of vehicular art,” Fearonce said in 2019, “because I’m still the kid who never grew up.”
Fearonce is battling a host of life-threatening medical issues including congestive heart failure, kidney issues and breathing problems. He’s hearing impaired and uses hearing aids.
Plus, Fearonce said, he has such serious glaucoma that “it takes seven different eye drops and eight pills a day to keep my vision as good as it is.”
Some of those conditions were only diagnosed after Fearonce was transported by ambulance to French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo on Independence Day,
Since being transferred to San Luis Post Acute Center in San Luis Obispo for rehabilitation, he’s undergone further diagnosis by outside specialists.
“I’ve lost 28 pounds of fluid, and I’m taking physical therapy,” Fearonce said. “I’m not on oxygen anymore, and I’m able to walk with a walker now — not far yet, but a short distance without being out of breath.”
Cambria man plans move to Georgia
Within a month or so, Fearonce plans to move to Georgia to live with his daughter, paralegal Pier Fearonce, who was at her father’s side Tuesday. So was his son Andre Fearonce of Sedona, Arizona.
“They’ve been a big help,” Nate Fearonce said of his children. “I’m so grateful, so lucky to have friends and family who care.”
Fearonce can’t go home again. His former Cambria home isn’t available anymore, and affordable housing opportunities are few in the busy coastal town.
To help lift his spirits, Beshears is encouraging people to visit Fearonce at San Luis Post Acute Center, 3033 Augusta St. in San Luis Obispo.
She also hopes to organize community help to safely get Fearonce to the Pinedorado car show on Sept. 3.
Held Sept. 2 through 4 in Cambria, the 73rd annual Pinedorado festival also features a parade, fun run, barbecue, carnival games and the Follies show “The Music Man Who Came to Cambria.”
To volunteer to help Fearonce get to the car show, call Beshears at 805-395-0481.
To donate via GoFundMe, go to gofundme.com/f/nate-fearonce-aka-cambria-pinedorado-car-show-guy. Donations can also be deposited directly into his account at Pacific Premier Bank in Cambria.
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 3:55 PM.
