Ivan Lee Sullivan

The Sullivan family made their way to California when he was a boy and made Kern County their home. He attended Fairfax School and Bakersfield High School, working hard at a young age to help support his family.

At 19, Ivan was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served his country in the Korean War. When he returned to Bakersfield, he found employment at Kamprath Seed Company. A few years later, he began a long career with the Santa Fe Railroad, where he worked until his retirement.

In 1965, he met Geri Cabral and her four little girls. They quickly fell in love, married, and had a big family with five beautiful daughters.

Ivan was a loving, devoted father, brother, and son who cherished his family deeply. He looked forward to his big summer family reunions; taking his wife and daughters to Morro Bay; playing cards and games with his girls; playing dominoes; and watching football with his brothers. He loved taking his boat to the lake, where he would picnic and water ski with his family. He enjoyed spending time with his railroad buddies, woodworking, fishing, and fixing just about everything on his own. You could always count on him to have his camcorder on hand to take home movies of every special occasion.

Later in life, he enjoyed long road trips to visit relatives across the country, growing his own garden, baking persimmon cookies, “shooting the breeze,” and “piddling around.”

Ivan was a soft-spoken gentleman, always available for a kind word, a good joke, or a helping hand. He adored his grandchildren and was proud to attend their school and sporting events, weddings, and all life events. He especially enjoyed making homemade ice cream on their birthdays.

One of the biggest highlights of his life was his trip to Washington, D.C., with his daughters through the Honor Flight of Kern County.

Ivan is survived by his sisters, Pansy Turner and Daphine Sullivan (Mike); his five daughters, Paula Crosby (Jeff), Cathi Stier, Tina Bach (Jeff), Bobbie Owens (Sonny Digilio), and Anne Lawrence (David); as well as his sixteen grandchildren, Ryan Crosby (Amy), Jenni Crosby (Jimmie Enriquez), Jeffrey Crosby (Hanna), Scott Crosby (Allie), Kaylee Albright (Joshua), Stevie Stier, Greg Bach (George), Scott Bach, Michael Bach, Jena Lords (Robbie), Thomas Owens, Tyler Owens, Dominick Lawrence, Lexi Lawrence, Brandon Lawrence, and Sophia Lawrence; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his ex-wife, Geri Sullivan; his sister, Sadie Newton; his brothers, Lonnie Sullivan and Lavern Sullivan; and his son-in-law, Mike Stier.

A special thank you to his loyal, dedicated, and loving caregiver, Claudia Cuevas, and his honorary granddaughter, Brittnee Walters.

Donations may be made in Ivan’s memory to Honor Flight of Kern County.