Harold Glenn Dockter, 84, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012 at Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, following a sudden illness.
Born in Lodi on March 1, 1928 to Chris and Emma Dockter, at age 3 he moved with his family to their farm in Escalon, where they had a dairy and raised rice, and, in recent years, almonds.
He graduated from Escalon High School and then served in the US Army, in the officers' motor pool, during the Korean War. After his service, he continued to work with his father on the farm. When he was 49, he met and married Evelyn Rule Bumgarner. With their marriage he became an instant father and grandfather - a role he took to with extreme caring and generosity. They built their own house down the road from his parents and he continued to farm, never retiring completely.
An avid fisherman, he had several boats over the years and always found time to pursue his passion - sharing it with family and friends. He also enjoyed dancing and bowling. After retirement, he and Evelyn traveled extensively together, all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as Great Britain and Europe. They made many friends across the country as they traveled in their motor home and were active in several motor home groups.
He was a member of the Escalon Historical Society and St. John's Lutheran Church in Valley Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Evelyn, in 2008.
Survivors include his daughters and their spouses, Kathy Seaton and Dodie Harte of Big Oak Flat, Claudia and John Weeks of Escalon, and Connie and Pete Dalla of Escalon; granddaughters, Valarie (Mona) Brady of Merced, Heather (Jeff) Pfarr of Modesto, and Jennifer (Javier) Esquivel of Escalon; great-granddaughters, Emily Weeks and Alexis Esquivel of Escalon; brother, Alvin Dockter of Fremont; sister, Pauline Catron of Nevada City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service was held Tuesday, July 3 at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon. Private burial at Burwood Cemetery, Escalon.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Escalon Historical Society, P.O. Box 193, Escalon, CA 95320; St. John's Lutheran Church, 120 West Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361; or Community Hospice, Inc., 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
July 4, 2012
Born in Lodi on March 1, 1928 to Chris and Emma Dockter, at age 3 he moved with his family to their farm in Escalon, where they had a dairy and raised rice, and, in recent years, almonds.
He graduated from Escalon High School and then served in the US Army, in the officers' motor pool, during the Korean War. After his service, he continued to work with his father on the farm. When he was 49, he met and married Evelyn Rule Bumgarner. With their marriage he became an instant father and grandfather - a role he took to with extreme caring and generosity. They built their own house down the road from his parents and he continued to farm, never retiring completely.
An avid fisherman, he had several boats over the years and always found time to pursue his passion - sharing it with family and friends. He also enjoyed dancing and bowling. After retirement, he and Evelyn traveled extensively together, all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as Great Britain and Europe. They made many friends across the country as they traveled in their motor home and were active in several motor home groups.
He was a member of the Escalon Historical Society and St. John's Lutheran Church in Valley Home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Evelyn, in 2008.
Survivors include his daughters and their spouses, Kathy Seaton and Dodie Harte of Big Oak Flat, Claudia and John Weeks of Escalon, and Connie and Pete Dalla of Escalon; granddaughters, Valarie (Mona) Brady of Merced, Heather (Jeff) Pfarr of Modesto, and Jennifer (Javier) Esquivel of Escalon; great-granddaughters, Emily Weeks and Alexis Esquivel of Escalon; brother, Alvin Dockter of Fremont; sister, Pauline Catron of Nevada City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service was held Tuesday, July 3 at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon. Private burial at Burwood Cemetery, Escalon.
Deegan Funeral Chapel in Escalon in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Escalon Historical Society, P.O. Box 193, Escalon, CA 95320; St. John's Lutheran Church, 120 West Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361; or Community Hospice, Inc., 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
July 4, 2012
