Clifford Sadoian

Cliff was born on May 24th, 1949 to George and Isabelle Sadoian. He grew up in Dinuba and enjoyed trips to nearby national parks, California Hot Springs and Lake Tahoe with family and friends. Cliff graduated from Dinuba High School in 1967 and later earned a Bachelors Degree in Agribusiness in 1971 at Fresno State. While at Fresno State, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, where he served as president and made many lifelong friends.

Cliff’s career in the agriculture industry started in 1971 at Sadoian Brothers, Inc., the family business founded by his father, George, and uncles Zay and Vasken. Over the next four decades, Cliff managed the growing, packing and shipping of figs, table grapes, plums, peaches and nectarines.

Cliff married Debra Yvonne Warkentin on September 20th, 1981. Cliff and Debbie enjoyed 35 years of loving marriage. They welcomed their daughter, Brittany, into their family in 1984. Cliff was a devoted dad and loved being involved in his daughter’s life. He enjoyed family trips to Disneyland and attending Brittany’s dance recitals and tennis tournaments, and also treasured walking her down the aisle at her wedding earlier this year.

Cliff was very active in the community and was a well-known figure in the agriculture industry. He was involved in the California Agriculture Leadership Program in 1981-82 and served as Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) in 1995-96. In 2008, he was honored with CFFA’s prestigious Mentors’ Award. Cliff was on CFFA’s Board for over 18 years, serving on numerous committees and in many different leadership roles. He was also a key figure at the CFFA Annual Golf Tournament. He co-chaired the annual tournament for 38 years with Nick Buratovich, a fellow member and close friend.

Cliff was a member of Dinuba Lions Club for many years. In 2015, he was presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship and awarded life membership in recognition of outstanding service as a Lion. Cliff served on the Dinuba Planning Commission, and he was also a long time member of the Fresno State Bulldog Foundation, Kings River Country Club, the Superb Barbeque Catering Committee and the Tri-County Produce Golf Tournament Committee.

Cliff is survived by his wife Debbie, daughter Brittany and her husband Will; mother Isabelle and brothers Phil and Ken and their families.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 6 from 5-8pm at Dopkins Funeral Chapel in Dinuba. A memorial service for Cliff will be held at the Dinuba Presbyterian Church at 11am on Saturday, January 7th. A lunch reception will follow the service at Ridge Creek Golf Club in Dinuba.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be designated to liver transplant research at Mayo Clinic or to Dinuba Presbyterian Church in honor of Cliff. For donations to Mayo Clinic’s liver transplant research, gifts can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Online donations can be made at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC, indicate as a memorial gift, select “other designation”, and write in liver transplant research. For donations to Dinuba Presbyterian Church, gifts can be mailed to 1250 E Nebraska Ave, Dinuba, CA 93618.