Obituaries

MILES ISBELL

After a two year battle with brain cancer, Miles John Isbell passed away at home on Oct. 21, surrounded by family and friends. Throughout his battle “Miles The Brave'' inspired people around the world with his perseverance and strength to live each day to the fullest, give back to their community, always look for the good even in the darkest of

times and “Don’t Stop Believin.”

Miles was born on April 18, 2011 in Yreka, and he entered the world with a smile that never faded. He grew up in Scott Valley – where he truly learned what it means to be #scottvalleystrong.

Miles’s early school years were spent at Eileeny’s daycare where he met many of his first true lifelong friends. He then attended Fort Jones Elementary School from kindergarten through 5th grade and began his first year of middle school at Scott Valley Junior High this past fall. There wasn’t a child or educator who knew Miles who didn’t feel loved by him. He truly was a friend to all, and to know him was to know friendship. Miles worked hard at school and became an avid reader.

Miles always had a creative side which was showcased in his artwork and hundreds of Lego creations. One of his photographs was featured in a gallery in San Francisco and purchased to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. From an early age, he loved listening to and creating music. Miles learned how to play the guitar and took to the stage many times to sing his favorite 80s songs with friends, solo, or even with a band.

Miles loved a good joke and making people laugh. He was fearless in his pursuits and his expression of who he was. He committed to growing a mullet for over a year in order to be the authentically perfect MacGyver for Halloween. The mullet stayed with him for another Halloween, and he even had it permed before the first day of school.

Although Miles truly loved his friends, he shared an even deeper love for his family. His brother, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins meant the world to him, and no one enjoyed a family gathering like Miles.

Miles took to running at an early age and earned a spot in the 100 mile club in the first grade with Mrs. Dean. He raced in many events in Siskiyou County with his friend Peter, some even as long as six miles. Miles earned a spot on the Scott Valley Dirt Dogs travel baseball team, and if enthusiasm could win any game, they would have had a solid record thanks to Miles alone. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Many a good hunting or fishing tale was shared with his brother and buddies Wyatt and Finn. Miles loved to snowboard. He also swam for the Scott Valley Sharks swim team. Miles enjoyed board games, was quite the pool shark, and became pretty good at poker.

Miles was a natural leader. He was a student senator at school and President of his Fort Jones 4H Club. During his membership in 4H, he raised hogs for the county fair, participated in marksmanship, and enjoyed the cooking class.

The last two years provided Miles with many opportunities due to the graciousness of others; in return, he showed the world how to live life and love your community. Miles helped raise funds for Angel Flight West and was honored at the Endeavor Awards for his heroism and bravery. He was also committed to supporting the construction of the new Olsrud Family Women's and Children's Hospital in Medford, Oregon. Asante was his second home for two years and not only helped try to save his life but also his spirit. He was excited for the new facility because of the improvements it will bring in the future for kids like him. He and his brother donated thousands of dollars of their own money from profits from their 4H animals and inspired thousands of others, including their friends, to do the same. As the Miracle Kid, he helped raise over 3 million dollars in one night for this cause.

In the last month of his life, Miles earned two additional titles. Etna High School students crowned him honorary football Homecoming King, and he was officially given the title of Lord Miles John Isbell after generous friends bought him and his brother some land on a Scottish estate.

Miles was welcomed into heaven by his older brother Paul Isbell, grandfather Terry Weekley, and greatgrandparents Cora Madole, Orin “Doc” Madole, and Anna Andrews. He is survived by his immediate family Bradley, Joy, and Carter; his grandparents John and Marcia Isbell and Carol Weekley; and his aunts, uncle and cousins, including Raylene, Jess, Mason and Shelby Lang and Vanessa Weekley. He will also be missed by numerous other family members and his precious dog and loyal companion Charlee.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Sweezey Ranch in Etna. A graveside burial followed at the Fort Jones Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his great-grandparents and older brother Paul.

Donations in Miles’s name are welcomed to the Asante Foundation www.asantefoundation.org/Miles or Scott Valley Scholarships www.scottvalleyscholarships.org

MIKE CHRISMAN

Phillip Michael Chrisman, 78, of Visalia, passed away on Oct. 11, surrounded by family and friends. Mike was born to parents Ira ‘Jack’ and Charlotte Chrisman on Sept. 24, 1944, in Visalia as the fourth generation on the family farm and cattle ranch. He attended Mt. Whitney High School, graduating in 1962. He then attended the University of Arizona, where he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Paul, in 1964.

He earned his degree in Agronomy from The University of Arizona in 1966 before coming home to Tulare County to join Chrisman Ranch and pursue his passion for farming and cattle ranching. Ten years later, he returned to University of Arizona to pursue his master’s degree in Agricultural Education.

Mike complimented his farming and ranching heritage with a long record of public service. He served as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Secretary of Natural Resources from 2003 until 2010. As a member of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s cabinet, Chrisman served as the governor’s chief adviser on issues related to the state’s

HARRY BOSWORTH

Harry Kilgore Bosworth was born Sept. 3, 1938 to Marie (Glaser) and Obed Bosworth. As a fourth generation Geyservillian, Harry attended Geyserville Schools, graduating in 1956 and then joined the Army hoping to become a mechanic and see Europe. Instead, he was stationed in Alabama and West Texas and trained in electronics. After discharge he came home, took classes at the Santa Rosa Junior College and joined the Jaycees.

In 1966, he was introduced to Karen Dunlavy and they married the following year. Together they built their life in Geyserville with their two daughters Rachel and Gretchen. They bought a ranch and Harry operated many local businesses including: Bosworth Electronics, Bosworth Hardware, Geyserville Water Works, Bosworth & Son Store and Olive Hill Cemetery.

Unofficially known as the Mayor of Geyserville, Harry was very active in his community. He served on many boards including: Geyserville School Board, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Odd Fellows, Fire Department Board, Friends of Lake Sonoma, Community Foundation and Historical Society.

Harry had many hobbies that included: Racing crackerbox boats, racing dirt bikes, fly fishing, driving large animal teams (Sonoma County Trailblazer member), natural, historic and cultural resources.

Prior to that, he served as Chief of Staff for Assemblymen Bill Jones, and was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve as Undersecretary of California Department of Food and Agriculture. In addition, Mike proudly served on numerous local and state boards, commissions, and trade associations over his lifetime, leaving a behind a deep legacy of agricultural and natural resource leadership.

Mike is survived by his son Josh (Julie Chrisman), daughter Jessica (Chris Nelson), granddaughter Kendall Chrisman, grandsons Tate, Dane and Dirk Nelson and Seth Chrisman, and brother Steve Chrisman. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara, in which he cherished their 56 years of marriage, and his parents Ira ‘Jack’ and Charlotte Chrisman.

It was Mike’s wish to be cremated so that his ashes would forever be a part of the land he loved and be joined with his wife Barbara’s ashes for eternity on their historic foothill ranch in Drumm Valley.

The memorial service to spread Mike’s ashes will be a private ceremony with his immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s name to Sequoia Riverlands Trust by mail at 427 S. Garden Street, Visalia, CA 93277, or online at www.sequoiariverlands.org.

learning Italian, and playing on his excavator.

Harry lost the battle with Lymphoma on November 8, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen, his daughters Rachel (Dean Prat) and Gretchen (Brian Crebs), and his granddaughters Morgan and Amy Crebs, his brother Charles Beers and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister Louise Bosworth Davis.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to any of the above Geyserville organizations.

A celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, Dec.10, 1 p.m. at The Geyserville Oriental Hall.

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Tom Bengard

Thomas David Bengard, age 85, passed away peacefully on Nov. 12, 2022, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was surrounded by his family at his home on the ranch in Salinas. Tom was truly one of a kind. He was a successful entrepreneur and influential in both the produce and cattle industries. He had a reputation for being genuine, honest, fair and good to work with. Tom had an easy smile and a twinkle in his eye that made people feel comfortable, and his laugh was contagious. He was always on the go and looking for others to join him. Tom was dearly loved by his family and his friends and he will be missed.

A lifelong resident of Monterey County, Tom was born on May 3, 1937 in Bitterwater to Chris and Dorothy (Eade) Bengard. The family later moved to King City where Tom grew up with his two older brothers Wesley and Darrel “Nick”. Tom was active in 4-H and FFA, sports, and the community. He raised sheep, one year taking the Grand Champion Lamb to the fair. He made All-League for Football and he was the Student Body President at King City High School.

Tom loved the outdoors and he enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding around the ranch checking cattle with his family. As a young man, Tom worked alongside his brothers in the family’s walnut orchard and they also harvested grain. He developed a love for agriculture at an early age and decided that he wanted to pursue a career in it. After graduating from high school, Tom attended UC Davis where he majored in Agricultural Economics.

While at Davis, Tom joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity where he made many life-long friends, most importantly Bruce Sconberg, who introduced him to his future wife. Terry Sconberg came to Davis in 1958 and she and Tom were soon a pair. They married on March 5,1959 and were together for over 60 years until her passing. Tom and Terry were partners in life, raising three children and starting a farming and ranching enterprise that kept them busy throughout their years.

After fulfilling his military obligations, Tom began his farming career in Salinas. He started out with field crops, growing beans, potatoes and beets. He had some success and by the early 1970s he was growing more high-value row crops, such as lettuce and broccoli. He formed Tom Bengard Ranch, Inc. and became vertically integrated. Tom was soon harvesting, packing, selling and shipping produce in cartons with his own labels. During the decades that followed, Tom entered into numerous strategic partnerships and expanded and diversified his farming business throughout California and into Arizona, Florida and Mexico. He was chairman of the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association and he served on the Board of Western Growers Association for many years.

The cattle business was another endeavor that Tom and Terry pursued together. They started out with 150 cows in 1973 on the family’s home ranch in Salinas. Over the years, they built it up to a commercial herd of 2,500 Black Angus cows on ranches they purchased in Monterey, San Benito, Tehema, Shasta and Plumas counties in California and Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 2014, Tom was named Monterey County’s Cattleman of the Year.

Tom loved the western traditions that were a big part of his upbringing in the Salinas Valley. He enjoyed brandings, rodeos and being a member of Rancheros Visitadores where he made many friends. While in R.V., he served as Camp Captain for El Campo de Los Bustardos. The trail rides, parties and activities surrounding these events were some of the best of times.

The Bengard’s connection to UC Davis remained a part of their life for many years. Tom served on the Deans Advisory Council for the UC Davis College of Agriculture, the UC Davis Chancellors Club, and the Cal Aggie Foundation. Tom’s close friendships with his brothers from the UC Davis Phi Delta Theta Chapter lasted throughout his life. He and Terry hosted numerous fundraisers and gettogethers at their home for these groups and many others throughout the years.

The secret to Tom’s success is that he had vision, a strong work ethic, good intuition, and he was able to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way. He was humble, friendly, honest and he treated others with kindness and respect. Tom was not afraid to take a risk, and truth be told, he usually had a little luck on his side. He was a good manager and he knew how to build a team. Many valued and trusted employees that worked for him over the years became a part of his family.

Tom knew how to work, but he also knew how to have fun. He was always up for an adventure and he never turned down a hunting, fishing, skiing or snow-mobiling trip with the guys. Tom was a man’s man and he loved the great outdoors. He enjoyed trips to Tahoe with his family and friends - skiing in the winter and boating in the summer were some happy memories for him and his family. He lived a full life and he did what he wanted to do.

In his later years, he mostly wanted to be with Terry and his family out enjoying the ranches that he was so proud of. He loved taking the kids along with him to hunt, shoot squirrels or just ride around checking cattle. These were all great opportunities for him to share his wisdom and tell his story. The conversation usually started out with “Let me tell ya something” and went on from there. He will be fondly remembered by his family for being kind, wise, humble, generous and fun!

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife and his brothers Wesley and Darrel Bengard. He is survived by his children, Bardin (Pam) Bengard, Tracy (Paul) Pezzini, and Tom (Louise) Bengard, all of Salinas; 10 grandchildren, Bridget (Chris) Rotticci, Bardin (Stephanie) Bengard, Sarah Bengard, Christian (Lucy) Bengard, Haley (Mason) Mallory, Wesley Pezzini, Michael Bengard, Jamie Bengard, Owen Bengard and Nick Bengard; and six great grand-children.

A private family service will be held at the ranch. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Tom’s memory to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation, UC Davis College of Agriculture, the California Rodeo or the Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation.