Mervyn Raymond Voth

Mervyn was born in Wasco, CA on September 18, 1918, to Henry and Susan Voth and attended Wasco schools. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics with honors from Redlands University in 1940, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Stanford University in 1942. After his formal education, Mervyn worked for Douglas Aircraft as a Methods Analyst from 1942 to 1944. He served honorably as a United States Marine in the Pacific Theater from 1944 to 1946, and in 1947, married June L. Schultz, a Fresno resident.

In 1947, Mervyn joined his family's farming operation in Wasco as its Financial and Business Officer. From 1971 to 1996, he organized his own farming entities, including Mervyn Voth Farms, Mervyn Voth Enterprises, North Kern Packers, Inc. and Agri-Business, all in Wasco. He was actively involved in a wide variety of professional farming organizations including Western Growers Assoc., United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Assoc., Kern County Farm Bureau, Valley Nitrogen Producers, Inc., Blue Diamond Cooperative, Calcot, Ltd., Kernpareil Cooperative, McFarland Cooperative Gin, Semitropic Cooperative Gin, and Ranchers Cotton Oil. He also lent his farming expertise to the California Potato Research and Advisory Board in conjunction with the University of California at the campuses of Berkeley and Davis.

Mervyn was very active in community affairs. He joined the Wasco Rotary in 1947, serving as president from 1973 to 1974, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow and maintaining his Rotary membership until his death. He served on the Wasco City Council and as a Kern County Boy Scouts Board Member.

Mervyn and June cruised through many parts of the world together an he always looked forward to hunting and fishing trips, but his greatest leisure enjoyment was vacationing at Lake Tahoe where he enjoyed boating and skiing with family and friends for over 60 years. Tennis was a much loved activity. He was a member of Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club, playing until her was 91.

Mervyn was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather. But more importantly, he was a true and devout man of God who served his Lord Jesus Christ tirelessly and generously throughout his long life; While in Wasco, the Voth family attended the First Baptist Church where Mervyn faithfully taught Sunday School and sang in both the choir and a men's quartet. After moving to Fresno in 1980, Mervyn and June became members of Fresno Evangelical Free Church where they continued their participation and service.

Mervyn is survived by his devoted wife, June; son, Stan Voth and his wife Susan; daughters Gini Bishop and her husband Dave and Bobbi Mele and her husband Steve; 6 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service of Celebration will be held at The Bridge, Fresno E.V. Free Church, on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be sent to Hume Lake Christian Camps

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.