Tools of Learning was founded by Murray Taylor Bass
He was born in Azusa California on May 10, 1928 to William H. Bass and Katherine Dell Taylor. His mother died when he was 13. Subsequently his father abandoned Murray and his 14 year old sister so he lived with families of friend until he was 18. He joined the Army 11th Airborne just after the end of WWII and was shipped to Japan to serve in the occupation forces. He was assigned to the Ammunition and Anti-Aircraft Section of the 674th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and promoted to Section Chief. He was discharged in early 1948 and but joined the Army Reserves. He graduated Glendale Community College in July of 1950 but then was recalled into the Army for the Korean War. He was assigned to the 204th Utah National Guard Field Artillery Battalion Service Battery delivering ammunition to the front lines. He saw action but finally discharged with the rank of Sergeant in August 1951
He graduated from SMU IN 1953 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. In 1955 he earned his Master’s, also from SM in Industrial Psychology.
In 1952, he met Zella the love of his life for 60 years. They had one son John who died about 5 years ago.
He worked as Director of Industrial Relations for the Stromberg Carlson Corporation for most of his career and then went independent as a financial advisor in the Suisun area for 28 years.
He is the founder of Tools of Learning for Children which has provided phonic materials to pre-schools since 2007. This non-profit also provides pocketsize Constitutions which went to all the high schools students in the FSUSD. He wrote a weekly column for the Daily Republic entitled “Plan to Live” which ran for over 30 years. He also worked to raise money for Alzheimer’s research (from which his wife had passed away) and was a Board member of the Sonoma Unified School District Virtual Academy, a home schooling project of that District. He was a proud member of the Central Solano Citizens Taxpayers Group and a social group which called themselves “The Deplorables.” He also wrote political columns published in the Daily Republic and the national magazine Patriot Post.
He was also a active Rotarian for over 25 years raising money and helping them conduct programs that affected all the citizens of Fairfield and Suisun. At one point, he served as president of the Fairfield Visual Arts Association and conducted an annual All Nation’s Festival in Downtown Fairfield for Years.
Patriot, philanthropist, educator, writer…that was Murray Bass.
Murray Bass passed away on July 24 at the age of 94.
Murray T Bass’ obituary click here