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Aquatic Football Long Beach State Obituary

Obituary: Chi Kredell Sr., Legendary Lifeguard and LBSU Footballer

Chi Kredell Sr. 1933-2021

Legendary lifeguard and waterman Chi Kredell Sr. passed away at the age of 87. Kredell, the father of Wilson Olympian and Shore Aquatics Club Director Chi Kredell Jr., lived a unique life in the Long Beach sports scene.

He’s in the record books as the first Long Beach State football player to score a touchdown. But his mark was made on the shore in Seal Beach, where he was a longtime lifeguard and firefighter. Kredell also went on to become a city councilman and the mayor of Seal Beach. Kredell took part in the 50th anniversary celebration for the Seal Beach Lifeguards five years ago, where he famously completed a pier jump at 82 years old.

While service info is pending, Kredell Jr. said the family is planning on holding a ceremony at the base of the pier.

 

Mike Guardabascio
An LBC native, Mike Guardabascio has been covering Long Beach sports professionally for 13 years, with his work published in dozens of Southern California magazines and newspapers. He's won numerous awards for his writing as well as the CIF Southern Section’s Champion For Character Award, and is the author of three books about Long Beach history.
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