Our Founder

Meet our Founder

Claude Sutherland wasn’t just a businessman. He was a generous giver with a great sense of humor who loved to make others laugh. Claude said that he is happier being a “giver to others” and his business legacy proves just that.


In 2006, Claude opened Modesto Gold, Jewelry and Coins located at 109 Needham Street in Modesto, CA. As the business grew, he began to hire those closest to him: friends and family. It was the need for jobs amongst those he knew, and his desire to grow his business, that prodded him to open his second location, Manteca Gold Jewelry and Coin in Manteca, CA.

Pawnshop - Manteca Gold, Pawn, and Coin

History

In the summer of 45 and 46 while still in high school, Claude worked for the California Forestry service this was during the second world war all able body men were in the service so even a post office and forestry service were using high school employees.

In the summer of 45 and 46 while still in high school, Claude worked for the California Forestry service this was during the second world war all able body men were in the service so even a post office and forestry service were using high school employees.


His innate ability for business began after working for the telephone company for eleven years where he also served as the president of the Local Communication Workers of America in Southern California. He opened a telephone answering service with a partner that he met while at the telephone company, and they expanded to three locations. He sold his half after getting married and moving north. From there he decided to open a hamburger stand, but he eventually got bored, and sold.

The action that he craved led him to open a Bail Bonds office. This was the venture that he enjoyed the most! He loved the high energy, and constant activity. There weren’t any bounty hunters back then so not only was it up to him to get his clients out of jail on a bond, it was also his job to track them down when they skipped out on their bail. Over the course of his Bail Bonds career, he owned several offices. His high energy, and love of adventure, contributed to huge success in this business.

Manteca Gold, Pawn, and Coin

Boxing

Claude's true passion in life was boxing. At 17 years of age, Claude began boxing in the amateur and Golden Glove. In 1949 he went on to the semifinals in the Golden Gloves. Claude won 19 out of 23 fights during his boxing career. His passion led him to become one of the Directors of the World Boxing Hall of Fame for 9 years. In addition, he was nominated as a Trainer into the Shasta County Hall of Fame for training kids and teens.


In addition to that he was a boxing coach with the police athletic league sponsored by Downey Police Department. He work for California Police Olympics and 2 International Police Olympics. There are numerous pictures and autographs of boxers that hang in the entry to his storefront in Manteca. He loved to talk boxing, and share stories. His smile took over the room as he named the boxers in the photographs, and told their stories.

Legacy

Jerry Williams, one of the current owners of the shops, is thankful to Claude and all that he has done for him. “Besides being my boss, Claude was also a good friend and my mentor. He taught me more in a few years than any University could teach a person in a lifetime,” added Williams.

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