Sunday, September 8, 2013, Cal Worthington, the last great car salesman, passed away in his home at the age of 92. With his lanky physique and goofy personality, Worthington made car-selling history in sunny California, where his plucky, offbeat character became iconic for the “Cal and his dog Spot” advertisements.

Photo: L.A. Times

Calvin Coolidge Worthington was born in southern Oklahoma, the seventh of nine children. When the Dust Bowl struck in the early ’30s, Worthington’s family was one of very few that stayed on amidst the horrid conditions, having no running water and a single stove to keep 11 people warm.

World War II found the young man as a pilot of B-17s, dodging flak and dropping bombs over Germany. He flew 29 missions with the 390th Bomber Wing and attained the rank of captain, and was awarded five Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, the 25-year-old set up shop in front of the post office in Corpus Christi, Texas, and made enough money in a short time to buy himself a car dealership in Huntington Park, California. He sponsored local shows, eventually getting his own segment, dubbed “Cal’s Corral.” Yet, it wasn’t until 1971 that the man struck gold with a funny idea.

Aping competitors who used dogs in their advertisements, and drawing inspiration from “Madman” Earl Muntz, Worthington melded the two together to make some of the most oddball commercials ever seen on television. Gorillas, tigers, bears, elephants, and many more non-canines, as well as the “Go See Cal” jingle, helped catapult the lanky Oklahoman from nothing to national treasure.

At his peak, Worthington ran almost 30 dealerships from Alaska to Texas. By all accounts, he was a success and celebrity of his time and always strived to do his best no matter what the future held. He told the L.A. Times in 2002, “I don’t do anything very well. I just stick at it.”

Worthington was 92 at the time of his passing. He is survived by his sons Rod, Calvin and Coldren; his daughters Barbara Worthington, Courtney Worthington Shepherd and Susan Worthington Skellenger; and nine grandchildren.