Louie Garispe

John Louie Garispe was born on December 6, 1930 in Fresno, California. He was the second of four children to Louie Garispe Sr. and Marie Jeanne Garispe Youngblood who immigrated to the United States from the Basque country of France in 1928. He is preceded in death by his parents and older brother Leon Garispe. He is survived by his wife Theresa of 56 years, his sisters, Grace Urrutia of Los Banos, Ca and Pauline LaCasse of Bend, Oregon, 3 daughters, Bernadette Garispe, Lannette Klassen and her husband Todd, and Jeannette Senn and her husband John. 6 grandchildren, Kyle and Justin Klassen, Casey Wallace and her husband Kyle, Ross Cochran, Zachary Senn and Nicholas Senn. 3 great-grandchildren: Levi, Ellie and Emma Wallace.

He was known to everyone as Louie. After graduating from Reedley High School in 1949, he was awarded a full ride FFA scholarship to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo but chose to work the family dairy and help on the family farm. In 1956, he was drafted to the US Navy and spent 19 months aboard the USS Hassayampa. While serving for our country, Louie was the leading Petty Officer for the refueling division as he went oversees to Japan and Hawaii.

Upon his return from the Navy, he purchased sheep with his brother Leon and formed the Garispe Brothers Partnership. Together, they began sheep ranching across Tulare Country and were well respected members of the Wool Growers Association.

He married Theresa in August of 1961 and they made their first home in Reedley where they began their family of 3 daughters. In 1967, the Garispe’s purchased the ranch in Dinuba where they continued sheep ranching and farming a variety of crops such as cotton, wheat, tree fruit and watermelons. In 1969, they decided to take on a new venture of owning Country Market on the corner of Alta and Ave. 384 where all the Garispe kids learned how to pump gas, count money and give change without using a calculator. They sold the sheep in 1975 and the store in 1977 and focused on farming. Through the years, Garispe Brothers developed and improved the land and continued their successful partnership.

Louie also found time and enjoyed being a member of the Superb BBQ Committee where he liked to cook and have a highball with friends. He was also a member of the Lions Club, and Knights of Columbus. Louie and Theresa were committed members of the Basque Clubs of Fresno and Los Banos since 1978 and spent many hours at the Basque restaurants enjoying food, drinks and playing the Basque card game, Mus, with good friends and family.

Louie retired from farming in 2002. He and Theresa traveled and were able to enjoy adventures to France, Germany, Italy, China as well as Washington D.C.

In 2016, they moved to Visalia and enjoyed the city life where they were able to continue to create new friendships and enjoy their time together.

Many people would describe Louie as a kind, generous, optimistic man with good humor and never missed an opportunity to joke and make someone smile. But most importantly, he was a patient and loving man with a strong faith in God.

On January 14th, 2018, Louie peacefully completed his life on earth surrounded by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kaweah Delta Hospice or Good Shepherd Catholic Parish of Visalia.