Services will be held tomorrow, Friday, May 27, 2009, for Don Gilkey, who passed away at home in Corcoran, Ca. Don or as he was lovingly known, "Donnie," was born the fifth and last child of Margaret and Ralph Gilkey in Corcoran.
Ralph and Margaret came to Corcoran from Canada in 1922 and started custom farming in the Tulare Lake bottom.
Don attended Corcoran schools and in high school played all sports and excelled in football. In 1953 he left Corcoran for the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football and rugby all four years. Don was a lineman and punter, and in 1956 served as the team captain. In his final game at Cal, Don led the Bears to a 20-18 victory over Stanford and received the traditional "Big Game Ax" from John Brodie. He was named First Team All Pacific Coast and Second Team A.P. All-American. He played in the East West Shrine All Star game and later in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
In August of 1956 Don married the former Moonyeen Apperson. They spent their first year of marriage in Berkeley as Don finished his senior year of college. After a short stint as an officer in the U.S. Army, Gilkey turned down offers to play professional football and came home to farm with his family. In 1958 he became a partner with his brother Charles and his brothers-in-law Don Riddle and Ken DeVaney. Bill Bondurant, another brother-in-law, would join the farming partnership later. Cotton, grain, alfalfa and later turkeys were the crops grown during Don's farming career. In 1962 the Gilkey family farm built a Cotton Gin. In those days 10,000 bales was a big year. Today after forming a partnership with the Hansen and Boyett families, Cross Creek Ginning Company annually gins between 30,000 and 60,000 bales. Don was the president of Gilkey Farms Incorporated since 1981 and served on the board of directors of Lakeland Dusters Aviation and Commercial Tire for many years.
In 1966, Don successfully led the community effort to build a new football stadium. For that effort he was named Corcoran's Citizen of the Year in 1967. He was a three-term member and president of the Corcoran Unified School District board of trustees. He served as the president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Corcoran Hospital Foundation. Mr. Gilkey was a life long member and trustee of the Corcoran First United Methodist Church. He was also a long time member of Corcoran's Rotary Club. A past delegate to the National Cotton Council, he served as a board member to the California Wheat Commission and the California Wheat Growers Association. He was a member of Class V of the California Ag Leadership Program and for many years served as a board member of California Ammonia Company. He was honored in Washington D.C. in 1982, as one of a select group of exceptionally productive farmers. Don was honored as a member of the "65 Club", a group of farmers chosen for their achievements in agricultural production, farm and community leadership. The award was presented by U.S Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block on National Agriculture Day. Mr. Gilkey was the only farmer chosen from the West Coast. The "65 Club" takes its' name from U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics that showed the average U.S. farmer produces food and fiber sufficient to feed and clothe at least 65 people at home and abroad. In 2005, after many years of service to his beloved profession, he was named Kings County Agriculturist of the Year.
The "Big D" loved golf and was a member of Kings Country Club for over 45 years. He loved Reno and traveling in his motor home. He always had plenty of duct tape tucked away to keep his bus on the road. Don was known as a big man with a bigger heart. He loved his family, his friends and people in general. He saw the good in everyone. He was a good Shepard of his land and the crops he grew but more importantly, he was a good Shepard of all the people with whom he associated: not just his family and friends, but his partners, his employees and even people he didn't know. He helped make this world a better place for many people. His was truly a life well lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret; and sisters, Jean Bondurant and Phyllis DeVaney.
Don leaves behind Moonyeen, the love of his life and wife of 52 years, a son Kirk, and grandchildren Jess and Taylor; a son Matt and daughter-in-law Carrie, and grandchildren Campbell, Kevin and Olivia; a son Ralph and daughter-in-law Dayna, and grandchildren Paige and Hans; a sister, Hazel Riddle; and his brother, Charles Gilkey; his mother-in-law, Gladys Apperson. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and many, many dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Corcoran High School Auditorium (corner of Letts and Whitley Avenues) on Friday, May 29, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.
Remembrances may be made to Cure PSP (Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy), Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031; or the Corcoran Community Foundation, 1321 Whitley Ave., Corcoran, California 93212.
PEOPLES FUNERAL CHAPEL
1030 Cardoso Avenue
Corcoran, Ca.
(559)992-2525
Published in Fresno Bee on 5/28/2009
Ralph and Margaret came to Corcoran from Canada in 1922 and started custom farming in the Tulare Lake bottom.
Don attended Corcoran schools and in high school played all sports and excelled in football. In 1953 he left Corcoran for the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football and rugby all four years. Don was a lineman and punter, and in 1956 served as the team captain. In his final game at Cal, Don led the Bears to a 20-18 victory over Stanford and received the traditional "Big Game Ax" from John Brodie. He was named First Team All Pacific Coast and Second Team A.P. All-American. He played in the East West Shrine All Star game and later in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
In August of 1956 Don married the former Moonyeen Apperson. They spent their first year of marriage in Berkeley as Don finished his senior year of college. After a short stint as an officer in the U.S. Army, Gilkey turned down offers to play professional football and came home to farm with his family. In 1958 he became a partner with his brother Charles and his brothers-in-law Don Riddle and Ken DeVaney. Bill Bondurant, another brother-in-law, would join the farming partnership later. Cotton, grain, alfalfa and later turkeys were the crops grown during Don's farming career. In 1962 the Gilkey family farm built a Cotton Gin. In those days 10,000 bales was a big year. Today after forming a partnership with the Hansen and Boyett families, Cross Creek Ginning Company annually gins between 30,000 and 60,000 bales. Don was the president of Gilkey Farms Incorporated since 1981 and served on the board of directors of Lakeland Dusters Aviation and Commercial Tire for many years.
In 1966, Don successfully led the community effort to build a new football stadium. For that effort he was named Corcoran's Citizen of the Year in 1967. He was a three-term member and president of the Corcoran Unified School District board of trustees. He served as the president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Corcoran Hospital Foundation. Mr. Gilkey was a life long member and trustee of the Corcoran First United Methodist Church. He was also a long time member of Corcoran's Rotary Club. A past delegate to the National Cotton Council, he served as a board member to the California Wheat Commission and the California Wheat Growers Association. He was a member of Class V of the California Ag Leadership Program and for many years served as a board member of California Ammonia Company. He was honored in Washington D.C. in 1982, as one of a select group of exceptionally productive farmers. Don was honored as a member of the "65 Club", a group of farmers chosen for their achievements in agricultural production, farm and community leadership. The award was presented by U.S Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block on National Agriculture Day. Mr. Gilkey was the only farmer chosen from the West Coast. The "65 Club" takes its' name from U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics that showed the average U.S. farmer produces food and fiber sufficient to feed and clothe at least 65 people at home and abroad. In 2005, after many years of service to his beloved profession, he was named Kings County Agriculturist of the Year.
The "Big D" loved golf and was a member of Kings Country Club for over 45 years. He loved Reno and traveling in his motor home. He always had plenty of duct tape tucked away to keep his bus on the road. Don was known as a big man with a bigger heart. He loved his family, his friends and people in general. He saw the good in everyone. He was a good Shepard of his land and the crops he grew but more importantly, he was a good Shepard of all the people with whom he associated: not just his family and friends, but his partners, his employees and even people he didn't know. He helped make this world a better place for many people. His was truly a life well lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret; and sisters, Jean Bondurant and Phyllis DeVaney.
Don leaves behind Moonyeen, the love of his life and wife of 52 years, a son Kirk, and grandchildren Jess and Taylor; a son Matt and daughter-in-law Carrie, and grandchildren Campbell, Kevin and Olivia; a son Ralph and daughter-in-law Dayna, and grandchildren Paige and Hans; a sister, Hazel Riddle; and his brother, Charles Gilkey; his mother-in-law, Gladys Apperson. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and many, many dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Corcoran High School Auditorium (corner of Letts and Whitley Avenues) on Friday, May 29, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.
Remembrances may be made to Cure PSP (Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy), Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031; or the Corcoran Community Foundation, 1321 Whitley Ave., Corcoran, California 93212.
PEOPLES FUNERAL CHAPEL
1030 Cardoso Avenue
Corcoran, Ca.
(559)992-2525
Published in Fresno Bee on 5/28/2009
Services will be held tomorrow, Friday, May 27, 2009, for Don Gilkey, who passed away at home in Corcoran, Ca. Don or as he was lovingly known, "Donnie," was born the fifth and last child of Margaret and Ralph Gilkey in Corcoran.
Ralph and Margaret came to Corcoran from Canada in 1922 and started custom farming in the Tulare Lake bottom.
Don attended Corcoran schools and in high school played all sports and excelled in football. In 1953 he left Corcoran for the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football and rugby all four years. Don was a lineman and punter, and in 1956 served as the team captain. In his final game at Cal, Don led the Bears to a 20-18 victory over Stanford and received the traditional "Big Game Ax" from John Brodie. He was named First Team All Pacific Coast and Second Team A.P. All-American. He played in the East West Shrine All Star game and later in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
In August of 1956 Don married the former Moonyeen Apperson. They spent their first year of marriage in Berkeley as Don finished his senior year of college. After a short stint as an officer in the U.S. Army, Gilkey turned down offers to play professional football and came home to farm with his family. In 1958 he became a partner with his brother Charles and his brothers-in-law Don Riddle and Ken DeVaney. Bill Bondurant, another brother-in-law, would join the farming partnership later. Cotton, grain, alfalfa and later turkeys were the crops grown during Don's farming career. In 1962 the Gilkey family farm built a Cotton Gin. In those days 10,000 bales was a big year. Today after forming a partnership with the Hansen and Boyett families, Cross Creek Ginning Company annually gins between 30,000 and 60,000 bales. Don was the president of Gilkey Farms Incorporated since 1981 and served on the board of directors of Lakeland Dusters Aviation and Commercial Tire for many years.
In 1966, Don successfully led the community effort to build a new football stadium. For that effort he was named Corcoran's Citizen of the Year in 1967. He was a three-term member and president of the Corcoran Unified School District board of trustees. He served as the president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Corcoran Hospital Foundation. Mr. Gilkey was a life long member and trustee of the Corcoran First United Methodist Church. He was also a long time member of Corcoran's Rotary Club. A past delegate to the National Cotton Council, he served as a board member to the California Wheat Commission and the California Wheat Growers Association. He was a member of Class V of the California Ag Leadership Program and for many years served as a board member of California Ammonia Company. He was honored in Washington D.C. in 1982, as one of a select group of exceptionally productive farmers. Don was honored as a member of the "65 Club", a group of farmers chosen for their achievements in agricultural production, farm and community leadership. The award was presented by U.S Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block on National Agriculture Day. Mr. Gilkey was the only farmer chosen from the West Coast. The "65 Club" takes its' name from U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics that showed the average U.S. farmer produces food and fiber sufficient to feed and clothe at least 65 people at home and abroad. In 2005, after many years of service to his beloved profession, he was named Kings County Agriculturist of the Year.
The "Big D" loved golf and was a member of Kings Country Club for over 45 years. He loved Reno and traveling in his motor home. He always had plenty of duct tape tucked away to keep his bus on the road. Don was known as a big man with a bigger heart. He loved his family, his friends and people in general. He saw the good in everyone. He was a good Shepard of his land and the crops he grew but more importantly, he was a good Shepard of all the people with whom he associated: not just his family and friends, but his partners, his employees and even people he didn't know. He helped make this world a better place for many people. His was truly a life well lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret; and sisters, Jean Bondurant and Phyllis DeVaney.
Don leaves behind Moonyeen, the love of his life and wife of 52 years, a son Kirk, and grandchildren Jess and Taylor; a son Matt and daughter-in-law Carrie, and grandchildren Campbell, Kevin and Olivia; a son Ralph and daughter-in-law Dayna, and grandchildren Paige and Hans; a sister, Hazel Riddle; and his brother, Charles Gilkey; his mother-in-law, Gladys Apperson. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and many, many dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Corcoran High School Auditorium (corner of Letts and Whitley Avenues) on Friday, May 29, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.
Remembrances may be made to Cure PSP (Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy), Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031; or the Corcoran Community Foundation, 1321 Whitley Ave., Corcoran, California 93212.
PEOPLES FUNERAL CHAPEL
1030 Cardoso Avenue
Corcoran, Ca.
(559)992-2525
Published in Fresno Bee on 5/28/2009
Ralph and Margaret came to Corcoran from Canada in 1922 and started custom farming in the Tulare Lake bottom.
Don attended Corcoran schools and in high school played all sports and excelled in football. In 1953 he left Corcoran for the University of California, Berkeley, where he played football and rugby all four years. Don was a lineman and punter, and in 1956 served as the team captain. In his final game at Cal, Don led the Bears to a 20-18 victory over Stanford and received the traditional "Big Game Ax" from John Brodie. He was named First Team All Pacific Coast and Second Team A.P. All-American. He played in the East West Shrine All Star game and later in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
In August of 1956 Don married the former Moonyeen Apperson. They spent their first year of marriage in Berkeley as Don finished his senior year of college. After a short stint as an officer in the U.S. Army, Gilkey turned down offers to play professional football and came home to farm with his family. In 1958 he became a partner with his brother Charles and his brothers-in-law Don Riddle and Ken DeVaney. Bill Bondurant, another brother-in-law, would join the farming partnership later. Cotton, grain, alfalfa and later turkeys were the crops grown during Don's farming career. In 1962 the Gilkey family farm built a Cotton Gin. In those days 10,000 bales was a big year. Today after forming a partnership with the Hansen and Boyett families, Cross Creek Ginning Company annually gins between 30,000 and 60,000 bales. Don was the president of Gilkey Farms Incorporated since 1981 and served on the board of directors of Lakeland Dusters Aviation and Commercial Tire for many years.
In 1966, Don successfully led the community effort to build a new football stadium. For that effort he was named Corcoran's Citizen of the Year in 1967. He was a three-term member and president of the Corcoran Unified School District board of trustees. He served as the president of the Corcoran Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Corcoran Hospital Foundation. Mr. Gilkey was a life long member and trustee of the Corcoran First United Methodist Church. He was also a long time member of Corcoran's Rotary Club. A past delegate to the National Cotton Council, he served as a board member to the California Wheat Commission and the California Wheat Growers Association. He was a member of Class V of the California Ag Leadership Program and for many years served as a board member of California Ammonia Company. He was honored in Washington D.C. in 1982, as one of a select group of exceptionally productive farmers. Don was honored as a member of the "65 Club", a group of farmers chosen for their achievements in agricultural production, farm and community leadership. The award was presented by U.S Secretary of Agriculture John R. Block on National Agriculture Day. Mr. Gilkey was the only farmer chosen from the West Coast. The "65 Club" takes its' name from U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics that showed the average U.S. farmer produces food and fiber sufficient to feed and clothe at least 65 people at home and abroad. In 2005, after many years of service to his beloved profession, he was named Kings County Agriculturist of the Year.
The "Big D" loved golf and was a member of Kings Country Club for over 45 years. He loved Reno and traveling in his motor home. He always had plenty of duct tape tucked away to keep his bus on the road. Don was known as a big man with a bigger heart. He loved his family, his friends and people in general. He saw the good in everyone. He was a good Shepard of his land and the crops he grew but more importantly, he was a good Shepard of all the people with whom he associated: not just his family and friends, but his partners, his employees and even people he didn't know. He helped make this world a better place for many people. His was truly a life well lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret; and sisters, Jean Bondurant and Phyllis DeVaney.
Don leaves behind Moonyeen, the love of his life and wife of 52 years, a son Kirk, and grandchildren Jess and Taylor; a son Matt and daughter-in-law Carrie, and grandchildren Campbell, Kevin and Olivia; a son Ralph and daughter-in-law Dayna, and grandchildren Paige and Hans; a sister, Hazel Riddle; and his brother, Charles Gilkey; his mother-in-law, Gladys Apperson. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and many, many dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Corcoran High School Auditorium (corner of Letts and Whitley Avenues) on Friday, May 29, 2009, at 11:00 a.m.
Remembrances may be made to Cure PSP (Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy), Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, Maryland, 21031; or the Corcoran Community Foundation, 1321 Whitley Ave., Corcoran, California 93212.
PEOPLES FUNERAL CHAPEL
1030 Cardoso Avenue
Corcoran, Ca.
(559)992-2525
Published in Fresno Bee on 5/28/2009
