John Ross Hildebrand Jr., born Sept. 16, 1936, died suddenly July 1, 2006, of heart failure at the age 0f 69 while volunteering at a Soroptomist youth swim meet in Ukiah.
Survived by loving wife of 48 years, Patricia Hildebrand; children, Sheryn (Cook) Wattenburger, Joanne (Bill) Drake, John (Danya) Hildebrand, Mary (Frank) Merritt, Danny (Megan) Hildebrand; grandchildren, Linda, Matthew, Kenzi, Caitlin, Danielle, Jarred, Brandon, Miley, Kristofer, Kyle and Tanner; one great-grandchild, Alexis; brothers, David Hildebrand of Kelseyville, Jimmy Vickers of Lakeport; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives.
A 1954 graduate of Kelseyville High, he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo two years. In 1957 he was named one of California”s 11 representatives as part of the International Farm Youth Exchange, traveling on the Queen Mary to live in England, Scotland and Wales to study agriculture. While there he lived with 16 different families, had tea with Prince Phillip and toured Buckingham Palace. In 1958 he married Patricia Morrison of Finley and raised five children.
As a career rancher he lived in Healdsburg, Big Valley and Redwood Valley, settling in Potter Valley in 1969. John taught agriculture at Potter Valley High School and then began a 20-year career in the lumber industry as a millwright and boilermaker with Louisiana Pacific.
In 1993 he retired and took up family ranching in earnest, raising registered horned Herefords and prize-winning 4-H and FFA steers. His talent for creating new and effective food regimens for fattening beef cattle earned him agricultural accolades statewide. He loved animals of all kinds, especially his hummingbirds and two dogs, Charlie and Booner. But his family was his first passion.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Friday, July 7, at St. Mary Immaculate on Main Street in Lakeport.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St., Lakeport. Viewing will be Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. Interment will take place at Kelseyville Cemetery.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes, 263-0357 or 994-5611, or visit them online at www.chapelofthelakes.com for directions.
Please sign the guestbook at www.record-bee.com, click on obituaries.
(Published in the Lake County Record-Bee on Thursday, July 6, 2006.)
