In Memoriam
2021
IN MEMORIAM
Franklin “Woody” Barnes (1) Franklin “Woody” Barnes passed away on July 25, 2021. As a member of Class 1, he traveled internationally to Mexico, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy, and nationally to D.C., Illinois, Michigan, Virginia and Alabama. A trained botanist, Woody and his father operated the largest apple and pear orchards in Julian. Many of his memories have been preserved in the book “Woody Barnes: A Farmers Life in Julian,” published in 2020. He was active on many boards, including the San Diego County Farm Bureau, where he served a term as president; Council of California Growers; California State Board of Forestry; and California Rangeland Trust.
Abdul Mohamed (10) Abdul Mohamed passed away Nov. 19, 2021. As a member of Class 10, he traveled internationally to China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, and nationally to D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Abdul was raised on his family’s farm. He served in the Navy from 1961-1966 and received multiple commendations as a hospital corpsman. Abdul later earned degrees from Cal Poly Pomona and spent 31 years as a vocational ag teacher at Imperial High School. He was active with FFA, 4-H, the local fair, church, school board, Little League and high school softball. Abdul and his wife, Patsy, were married for 53 years and had two children.
Lloyd Stueve (4) Lloyd Stueve passed away on Oct. 8, 2021. As a member of Class 4, he traveled internationally to Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt and Italy, and nationally to D.C., Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. Lloyd was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Monrovia. After serving in the Army for two years, he and his wife, Nancy, operated a heifer ranch in Oakdale and later co-founded S&G Dairy. Encouraged by his time in the program, Lloyd served as president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau. He loved working alongside his children on the farm and enjoyed watching them carry on family traditions.
Dennis Connor (21) Dennis Connor passed away on Feb. 6, 2021. His long career with Monrovia Nursery – the nation’s leading grower of premium container-grown ornamental and edible plants – included assistant production manager, general manager and vice president. He was quoted in numerous nurseryrelated articles and in 1999 served as president of the Nursery Growers Association. A classmate shared that Dennis was one of 12 children and he had a great sense of humor, a talent for storytelling and a wonderful singing voice.
Bill Daniell (10) Bill Daniell passed away on Aug. 30, 2021. As a member of Class 10, he traveled internationally to China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, and nationally to D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Holtville, Bill attended Cal Poly Pomona. After college, he and his wife, Shirley, returned to Holtville, where they farmed and raised three children. Bill grew various field and vegetable crops and was one of the first to successfully grow cauliflower in the Imperial Valley. He enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and overseas with his wife, annual Class 10 trips, hunting, fishing, cooking and being with family and friends. Pete Fallini (10) Pete Fallini passed away on Jan. 26, 2021. As a member of Class 10, he traveled internationally to China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, and nationally to D.C., Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. As a member of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, he earned the rank of captain and was awarded the Bronze Star. Pete and his wife, Patty, settled in Santa Paula, and he spent his career with Agland and Farmer’s Irrigation. Pete was active with Santa Paula JAYCEES, Indian Guides, Santa Clara School, Rotary Club and Little League. He enjoyed hiking, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Rick Cosyns (21) Rick Cosyns passed away on Sept. 7, 2021. As a member of Class 21, he traveled internationally to China, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, and nationally to D.C., Missouri and Illinois. Rick loved spending time with his family, and on the family farm enjoying the orchards, vineyards and their foothill ranch. A skilled fisherman, he enjoyed teaching others the sport, as well as hunting. Rick was a director on the Madera Irrigation District, Madera Planning Commission and numerous other organizations. He and his wife of 34 years, Lynne, had two children. Jerry O’Banion (27) Jerry O’Banion passed away on Feb. 14, 2021. As a member of Class 27, he traveled internationally to Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa, and nationally to D.C., Mississippi and Tennessee. Jerry began his career at the UC Cooperative Extension in Fresno County and returned to the family business, O’Banion Ranches in Dos Palos, soon after. He served on the city council and later as the mayor of Dos Palos. Jerry was elected to the Merced County Board of Supervisors in 1990 and served a total of 28 years on the board. Upon his retirement in 2018, he and his family formed the J&J O’Banion Ranch, sharing his love of farming with his children and grandchildren.
17 WINTER 2022 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
