E-mail this article to a friend | Printer friendly format | Submit A Comment

By Tami Jo Nix - The Madera Tribune

Jack Griffin Desmond, age 87, died Friday, May 16, 2003 in Madera. The native and lifelong Madera resident came from one of the area's oldest pioneer families.

His great-grandfather, Henry Clay Daulton, and great-uncle John Griffin were members of the committee appointed to annex Madera from Fresno in 1893.

Desmond graduated from Madera Union High School in 1933 and attended two years at what is now California State University, Fresno.

He and the former Nelle Justice were married in 1944. They reared two sons and a daughter.

Desmond farmed grain for 30 years from 1939 to 1969 and worked as a cattle rancher for the last 40 years.

He joined the Madera Rotary Club in 1951 and with good friend Minnie Taylor founded the Madera 20-30 Club in the 1940s. He also served as scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 113, based at the First Presbyterian Church.

He and his wife, Nelle, were honored as Old Timer's Day King and Queen in 1992. His mother, Lucille Heiskell Desmond, served as Queen in 1962.

Desmond served on the school board for the Madera Union High School through its transition to Madera Unified School District, serving for more than 17 years.

A man who truly loved the land he also grew and shipped fresh vegetables including tomatoes, egg plant and peppers. Presently his crops consist of several varieties of squash along with mustard and collard greens to be shipped to California grocery chains.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nelle Desmond of Madera; sons, Timothy Justice and wife Barbara Desmond of Fresno, and Gregory Heiskell Desmond of Madera; daughter, Deborah Nelle Boyea of Sonora; sister, Jane and husband Sanford Grover of Sonora; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held today, Tuesday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by funeral services at Jay Chapel, 1121 Roberts Ave., Madera, CA 93637; 559-674-8814. Burial will follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, 1301 Roberts Ave., Madera, CA 93637.

Remembrances may be made to the Jack Desmond Scholarship Fund, C/O Madera Unified Teacher's Association, 120 Dwyer St., Suite A, Madera, CA 93637.

Tami Jo Nix Tami Jo Nix is a senior staff writer, photographer and community / features writer for the Madera Tribune. You can contact Tami Jo at 674.8134 ext. 231 or e-mail at tamijo (at) maderatribune.net Tami Jo also handles community calendar items and wedding announcements. The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.