Kole M Upton Sr.

Kole attended Fresno State for two years on a ROTC scholarship. Then he continued his education at Stanford University where he received his B.S. Engineering in 1965. After college Kole went into the Air Force for six years from 1965-1971. He was a Captain, USAF, Avionics Officer. While in the Air Force he continued his education at University of Southern California, 1970, M.A.O.M., Masters in Aerospace Operations Management.

In 1964 Kole married his high school sweetheart Carole J. Hackett at Stanford Memorial Church in Palo Alto, CA. He and his wife moved several places with the Air Force over the six years. After leaving the Air Force, Kole and his family returned to the family farm in Chowchilla so he could farm with his father. He loved farming and followed in his father’s footsteps to fight for water for farmers. Crops he farmed over the years were wheat, corn, corn nuts, oats, cotton, almonds, and pistachios. He and his wife had three children together; Kole Jr Upton, Brook Falberg, and Darin Upton.

Over the years, Kole was a long-standing Board Member of the Chowchilla Water District. He also was past Chairman of Friant Water Users Authority. He made several trips to Washington D.C. to battle for water for Farmers and the Central Valley.

There is so much to be said about Kole and this obituary will not do him justice. He had a dry sense of humor which was a pleasure to everyone around him. Kole was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He always gave more than he received. His Father did the same and he followed in his father’s footsteps. Kole often preferred to help people without their knowledge that he was the one providing them with assistance.

Much of Kole’s life was influenced by his upbringing. One nephew, Brandon Tomlinson, has also been influenced by the upbringing of his family and has continued the interest and involvement in vital water issues. The family legacy today continues to live on.

Kole spent his life dedicated to his family, farming, baseball, community and water. Numerous people have remarked that no one was ever as gifted as Kole in inspiring and enabling people under him to perform to the best of their abilities.

He will be greatly missed.

It was Kole’s desire not to have a funeral service.

In lieu of flowers;

The Chowchilla Athletic Foundation (CAF)

In Memory of Kole Upton Sr.

PO Box 755

Chowchilla, CA 93610

Or the American Cancer Society

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Kole-Upton-Sr-