Obituaries
Obituaries
Published: February 24, 2010
William Henley (Hank) Brokaw
William Henley (Hank) Brokaw died on February 17, 2010, at his home in Santa Paula, California, surrounded by his family.
Hank was born on March 23, 1927 in Whittier, where he grew up with his parents Robert Lee and Helen White Brokaw, and his sister Ruth. He started his education at Whittier Elementary School where his teacher pronounced that “Henley is a slow and careful learner.” Those qualities of patience and perseverance served him well all his life.
His education continued at John Brown boarding school in Arkansas, Whittier High School, and, after a two year stint in the Navy, at Fullerton Junior College, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago.
It was in Chicago that Hank met Ellen McGiffert, whom he married in 1954. Together, the newlyweds moved to Ojai where Hank taught high school science and math (at Nordhoff, Ventura, and Buena High Schools) for ten years.
For the last eight of those ten years, Hank fostered what was then a hobby of raising avocado and citrus nursery trees, starting with 500 avocado seeds planted in the backyard. From that beginning, Brokaw Nursery, under Hank’s leadership and with Ellen’s full partnership, has become a major specialized nursery for commercial growers of avocados, citrus, and kiwis.
As Hank wrote in his Harvard 50th Anniversary Alumni Report: “As a profession, nursery work has been very satisfying. It has allowed for development of orchards, creative activities, travels beyond expectations, acquaintances in many places, and opportunities to do a few new things.”
One of those “new things” was the development of a commercial method to produce clonal avocado rootstocks. That innovation led to the adoption of clonal rootstocks as the industry standard in California and other countries.
When asked about his success, Hank always responded by first protesting that he hadn’t done much, really – and then insisting that whatever he had achieved was due to luck. He never saw his accomplishments in life as having been possible without a wide and diverse network of support: from his employees, colleagues, customers, friends, and family.
The family would like to express its gratitude to the caregivers who tended to Hank over the last two years with special thanks to Gary Calhoun and Cal Farney. We are also thankful for the thoughtful and loving care provided in his last days by Livingston Hospice.
Hank leaves behind his wife, Ellen; five children, Debbie (Randy Jackson), Rob (Katie), Elisabeth (Lee Rossi), Will, and Elena; nine grandchildren, Nate, Jessica, Steven, Tommy, Bridget, Leo, Claire, Evelyn, and Paul; two cousins, Bill Brokaw (Joanne) and Phil Brokaw (Sylvia); and two nieces, Linda Suzanne Walker and Beth Siebert.
A memorial service will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, March 6. The location and time of the service will be announced next week. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to a local charity of your choice.
Lorette Allene Mckee
Lorette Allene Mckee, 79, of Santa Paula passed away on Friday, February 19, 2010. She has been a resident of Ventura County for 50 years. She was born on November 30, 1930 Huntsville, Arkansas and the oldest of eight siblings.
Loretta dedicated all her life being a homemaker. What made her happiest and gave her the most joy was her family, children, cooking, gardening, golf, bowling and dancing.
She is preceded in death by her brothers Bob Black, Hugh Black and Jerry Binck.
The Family would like to thank the Victoria Care Center for their love and care of Loretta and her family.
She is survived her daughter Deborah (Art) Thomason. 4 grandchildren Kimberly, Nicole, Victor and Nathan. 5 great-grandchildren and 1 brother and 3 sisters.
A visitation will be held on at Skillin Carroll Chapel on Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 4-8pm. A Funeral Chapel Service will be held at Skillin Carroll Chapel on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12:30pm with burial to follow at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery
Arrangements under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 805/ 525-3391.
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