A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m., Sept. 10, 2005 at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico for long-time Durham farmer, John Gottlund.
He was born in the Province of Ufa, Empire of Russia in 1915 and when antigovernment forces over ran his parents' farm they escaped to Siberia. Nearly starving, they reached Finland after one year and immigrated to the United States settling in Pacific Grove, Calif. John graduated from Pacific Grove High School and then attended and graduated from Modesto J.C. and William and Mary University in Virginia. Excelling in football, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, however his patriotic spirit arose and passing up his dream to play in the NFL, he joined the Army and fought in many battles in France eventually attaining the rank of Major. He received a Bronze Star and after the war returned to California and attended U.C. Davis to coach football and obtain an Ag teaching credential. For two years he taught Ag and coached football at Orland High School. He was then recalled to duty in the Korean War for another two years and received another Bronze Star for heroism. He returned home to manage the Lamb Ranch in Meridian, Calif. for 10 years and then moved to Durham to manage the Adams Ranch for the Newhall Land and Farming Company for 20 years.
John retired to the ranch he loved near Butte College which he referred to as "The Springs." John's wife, Peggy, predeceased him in 1981 as did his only son, Steve, in 2001. Numerous nieces and nephews in California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kansas survive him.
John was an ardent supporter of agricultural education, collegiate athletics and wildlife conservation. The family requests that donations be made to the Butte County Farm Home and 4-H Support Group, 2279-B, Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from September 7 to September 9, 2005.
~~~
It was John's bequest of funds that started the Durham Community Foundation, dedicated to "connecting charitable donors with worthy endeavors that creates a legacy for the future vitality and quality of life of the greater Durham area."
He was born in the Province of Ufa, Empire of Russia in 1915 and when antigovernment forces over ran his parents' farm they escaped to Siberia. Nearly starving, they reached Finland after one year and immigrated to the United States settling in Pacific Grove, Calif. John graduated from Pacific Grove High School and then attended and graduated from Modesto J.C. and William and Mary University in Virginia. Excelling in football, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, however his patriotic spirit arose and passing up his dream to play in the NFL, he joined the Army and fought in many battles in France eventually attaining the rank of Major. He received a Bronze Star and after the war returned to California and attended U.C. Davis to coach football and obtain an Ag teaching credential. For two years he taught Ag and coached football at Orland High School. He was then recalled to duty in the Korean War for another two years and received another Bronze Star for heroism. He returned home to manage the Lamb Ranch in Meridian, Calif. for 10 years and then moved to Durham to manage the Adams Ranch for the Newhall Land and Farming Company for 20 years.
John retired to the ranch he loved near Butte College which he referred to as "The Springs." John's wife, Peggy, predeceased him in 1981 as did his only son, Steve, in 2001. Numerous nieces and nephews in California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kansas survive him.
John was an ardent supporter of agricultural education, collegiate athletics and wildlife conservation. The family requests that donations be made to the Butte County Farm Home and 4-H Support Group, 2279-B, Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from September 7 to September 9, 2005.
~~~
It was John's bequest of funds that started the Durham Community Foundation, dedicated to "connecting charitable donors with worthy endeavors that creates a legacy for the future vitality and quality of life of the greater Durham area."
A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m., Sept. 10, 2005 at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico for long-time Durham farmer, John Gottlund.
He was born in the Province of Ufa, Empire of Russia in 1915 and when antigovernment forces over ran his parents' farm they escaped to Siberia. Nearly starving, they reached Finland after one year and immigrated to the United States settling in Pacific Grove, Calif. John graduated from Pacific Grove High School and then attended and graduated from Modesto J.C. and William and Mary University in Virginia. Excelling in football, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, however his patriotic spirit arose and passing up his dream to play in the NFL, he joined the Army and fought in many battles in France eventually attaining the rank of Major. He received a Bronze Star and after the war returned to California and attended U.C. Davis to coach football and obtain an Ag teaching credential. For two years he taught Ag and coached football at Orland High School. He was then recalled to duty in the Korean War for another two years and received another Bronze Star for heroism. He returned home to manage the Lamb Ranch in Meridian, Calif. for 10 years and then moved to Durham to manage the Adams Ranch for the Newhall Land and Farming Company for 20 years.
John retired to the ranch he loved near Butte College which he referred to as "The Springs." John's wife, Peggy, predeceased him in 1981 as did his only son, Steve, in 2001. Numerous nieces and nephews in California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kansas survive him.
John was an ardent supporter of agricultural education, collegiate athletics and wildlife conservation. The family requests that donations be made to the Butte County Farm Home and 4-H Support Group, 2279-B, Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from September 7 to September 9, 2005.
~~~
It was John's bequest of funds that started the Durham Community Foundation, dedicated to "connecting charitable donors with worthy endeavors that creates a legacy for the future vitality and quality of life of the greater Durham area."
He was born in the Province of Ufa, Empire of Russia in 1915 and when antigovernment forces over ran his parents' farm they escaped to Siberia. Nearly starving, they reached Finland after one year and immigrated to the United States settling in Pacific Grove, Calif. John graduated from Pacific Grove High School and then attended and graduated from Modesto J.C. and William and Mary University in Virginia. Excelling in football, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, however his patriotic spirit arose and passing up his dream to play in the NFL, he joined the Army and fought in many battles in France eventually attaining the rank of Major. He received a Bronze Star and after the war returned to California and attended U.C. Davis to coach football and obtain an Ag teaching credential. For two years he taught Ag and coached football at Orland High School. He was then recalled to duty in the Korean War for another two years and received another Bronze Star for heroism. He returned home to manage the Lamb Ranch in Meridian, Calif. for 10 years and then moved to Durham to manage the Adams Ranch for the Newhall Land and Farming Company for 20 years.
John retired to the ranch he loved near Butte College which he referred to as "The Springs." John's wife, Peggy, predeceased him in 1981 as did his only son, Steve, in 2001. Numerous nieces and nephews in California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kansas survive him.
John was an ardent supporter of agricultural education, collegiate athletics and wildlife conservation. The family requests that donations be made to the Butte County Farm Home and 4-H Support Group, 2279-B, Del Oro Avenue, Oroville, CA 95965. Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from September 7 to September 9, 2005.
~~~
It was John's bequest of funds that started the Durham Community Foundation, dedicated to "connecting charitable donors with worthy endeavors that creates a legacy for the future vitality and quality of life of the greater Durham area."
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Bronze Star Medal
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