Kenneth Gerard Luiz, 48 of Lodi, died Saturday, Feb. 6, at Dameron Hospital in Stockton.
A native of Newman, Kenny worked his entire adult life at the Tony Simoes Dairy in Lodi. After years of hard work and dedication Kenny became partners with his best friend Fernando Simoes of the Lodi Dairy. The duo ran the dairy together with the help of Kenny’s son, Scott.
Known as a workaholic to those close to him, Kenny entered the workforce at the age of 16 when he went to work for Darrell Hayes at Hayes and Lucas Enterprises in Crows Landing. He rarely took time off, except to visit Reno, Nev., once a year. Everyone knew him well enough to either plan major events around the dairy’s busy times or to at least understand his frequent absences from family functions.
Kenny was a tough and shrewd businessman, but if he had any softness, it was for his twin grandsons, Ethan and Nathan. They had a knack for getting their Papa to pay them for chores they would invent, which he did willingly and with love. Kenny enjoyed having the boys on the dairy with him and showing them what he did for a living, just as he did with their Dad, Scott.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jody Luiz of Lodi; son, Scott Gardner (Alicia); Sisters, Lorraine Cardoza (Thom) of Modesto, Debbie Luiz of Hilmar, and Mary McNulty (Tom) of Elk Grove; brother, John Luiz III (Sandy) of Modesto; mother/father-in-law, Bill and Penny Gardner of Douglas, WY.; brother-in-law, Darryl Gardner of Stockton; sister-in-law, Kathi Gardner (Joe Nieman) of Lodi and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents John Luiz Jr. (1986) and Frances (Gonsalves) Luiz (1972) and a sister-in-law, Lani Gardner (2007).
Friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 South Fairmont Ave., Lodi. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, at the same location. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5750 E. Pine St., Lodi. In honor of Ken’s love of cow dogs, donations can be made to the Border Collie Rescue of Northern California (P.O. Box 640, Castroville, CA 95012). A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared. Lodi Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
A native of Newman, Kenny worked his entire adult life at the Tony Simoes Dairy in Lodi. After years of hard work and dedication Kenny became partners with his best friend Fernando Simoes of the Lodi Dairy. The duo ran the dairy together with the help of Kenny’s son, Scott.
Known as a workaholic to those close to him, Kenny entered the workforce at the age of 16 when he went to work for Darrell Hayes at Hayes and Lucas Enterprises in Crows Landing. He rarely took time off, except to visit Reno, Nev., once a year. Everyone knew him well enough to either plan major events around the dairy’s busy times or to at least understand his frequent absences from family functions.
Kenny was a tough and shrewd businessman, but if he had any softness, it was for his twin grandsons, Ethan and Nathan. They had a knack for getting their Papa to pay them for chores they would invent, which he did willingly and with love. Kenny enjoyed having the boys on the dairy with him and showing them what he did for a living, just as he did with their Dad, Scott.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jody Luiz of Lodi; son, Scott Gardner (Alicia); Sisters, Lorraine Cardoza (Thom) of Modesto, Debbie Luiz of Hilmar, and Mary McNulty (Tom) of Elk Grove; brother, John Luiz III (Sandy) of Modesto; mother/father-in-law, Bill and Penny Gardner of Douglas, WY.; brother-in-law, Darryl Gardner of Stockton; sister-in-law, Kathi Gardner (Joe Nieman) of Lodi and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents John Luiz Jr. (1986) and Frances (Gonsalves) Luiz (1972) and a sister-in-law, Lani Gardner (2007).
Friends are invited for visitation from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 at Lodi Funeral Home, 725 South Fairmont Ave., Lodi. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, at the same location. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Lodi Memorial Cemetery, 5750 E. Pine St., Lodi. In honor of Ken’s love of cow dogs, donations can be made to the Border Collie Rescue of Northern California (P.O. Box 640, Castroville, CA 95012). A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared. Lodi Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
