Zaven "Zay" Sadoian

Shortly after his birth the family relocated to California, eventually settling in the Cutler-Orosi area. Zay graduated from Orosi High School in 1937 and Visalia Junior College in 1939. He was working at Lockheed Aircraft in 1940 when he was drafted into the Army. He was eventually sent to an Army Air Corps outfit in Fort Lewis, Washington. He received training as a liaison pilot and became part of the 25th Liaison Squadron. He was sent to Brisbane, Australia and eventually Port Moresby in southern New Guinea where they were to begin operations flying Stinson L-5 aircrafts. Among their duties was to follow our bombers and fighters as they returned from strikes on enemy installations and pick up flight crews that were forced down by enemy action and flying supplies to the radar personal that were stationed high up in the Owen Stanley Mountains. While in the military, he attained the rank of Master Sargent, and was honorably discharged on August 7th, 1945.

After the war Zay returned to the Cutler-Orosi area and began his lifelong partnership with brothers George and Vask in the fruit business, growing and shipping grapes, figs and tree fruit. It was during this time that Zay met June Pappas, who was visiting the area to help her sister, Penny George, after the birth of her first child. Zay and June were married on November 28th, 1948. They had a long and loving marriage until she passed away on August 5, 2005.

Zay was very skilled in woodworking and over the years he expanded his home and constructed many of the cabinets, shelving and furniture. He enjoyed traveling to Pismo Beach and digging for clams. After he retired from farming he and June bought a mobile home in Pismo and spent many happy times together.

Zay is survived by his brother Harry Sadoian and his wife Helen of Fresno, daughter Elaine Hamilton and her husband Bill of Clovis, sons Chuck Sadoian and his wife Nancy of Dinuba and Mike Sadoian and his wife Tracy of Visalia; grandchildren Rick Souza and his wife Ashley of Fresno, Robert Sadoian and his wife Sharon of Visalia, Tami Sadoian and her husband James Dewhurst of Beaverton, Oregon, and Nicole and Casey Sadoian of Visalia; great grandchildren Ivy and Hank Souza and Jacob, Shae and Cole Sadoian.

Viewing will be on Tuesday March 10, 2015 from 4-8pm at Dopkins Funeral Chapel, 189 South J Street, Dinuba, CA 93618. A graveside service will be held at 11am Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Smith Mountain Cemetery, 42088 Road 100, Dinuba, CA 93618.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dinuba Presbyterian Church, 1250 E Nebraska Ave, Dinuba CA 93618, or Dinuba Senior Citizens Center, 437 N Eaton Ave, Dinuba, CA 93618.