Obituaries
Obituaries
Published: March 03, 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 at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at Community Presbyterian Church, 1555 Poli St., in Ventura. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to a local charity of your choice.
Fred H. Diaz
Oct 1929 – Feb 2010
Our father has gone to be with our Lord and his beloved wife Mary. They were married close to 50 years and were inseparable.
Fred was born on October 15, 1929 to Apolonio and Maximina in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he also grew up and married his wife. In 1951 he served in the National Guard for four years, after he was discharged. He started painting commercial and residential properties. In 1969 he his wife and five children moved to Phoenix, where he continued painting for over 30 years.
When he retired he enjoyed watching sports, especially the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He spent the rest of his time with his wife, when she became ill; he stayed by her side until she passed away in 2004. He then moved to Santa Paula to be closer to family.
He is survived by four children, Maxine Defelice, Madelyn Shackelford, Augustine Diaz, and Richard Diaz. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Diaz and son Fred Diaz Jr.
Fred had nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. We will all miss him dearly.
Services are being handled by Camino Del Sol Funeral Home.
Death Notice
Patricia Ann Lopez, 62, Oxnard, died February 21, 2010. Arrangements by Camino del Sol Funeral Home, Oxnard.
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