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Roland M. Ramsey
March 1, 1921 August 15, 2012
Roland Ramsey

Former longtime Turlock resident and agribusiness man, Roland M. Ramsey, passed away in Lake Oswego, Oregon on August 15, 2012 surrounded by his family. 

He was born March 1, 1921 in Alhambra, California.  After excelling in academics, basketball and track he earned a scholarship to UC Berkley where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.  He graduated with a degree in accounting and then entered the Navy during World War II as a Supply Officer.

After the war, he received his CPA degree and established a CPA firm with former fraternity brother Oscar Holt.  In 1955 they made a decision to start an egg business in Turlock.  Rainbow Farms was built with determination, hard work and a dream.  Valley Fresh Foods Inc. continues to flourish and is still headquartered in Turlock, with ranches Rainbow Farms in Turlock, Calif., Skylane Farms in Oregon and Briarwood Farms in Washington.

Roland and Oscar are responsible for many of the innovations in today’s poultry industry. Roland was especially proud of his part in the development process of Eggland’s Best eggs.

He was a past president of the Turlock Rotary Club, a member of the Turlock Country Club and a great supporter of Saint Frances Episcopal Church.  Roland was also an enthusiastic “Bear Backer” supporting Cal athletics for many years as well endowing a room in the Haas School of Business at the Berkeley campus.

He is survived by his wife, Diana, his 4 daughters Susan Smartt of Indio, Lynn Ramsey of Sacramento, Corinne Rucker of Turlock and Leslie Crane of Bermuda Dunes, granddaughters Andrea Rucker and Megan Koontz, step daughter Jana Heffernan and stepsons Chuck and Jeff Peterson. Preceded in death by grandson Wayne Rucker and stepson Mark Peterson.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Wounded Warriors Project , The Arthritis Foundation or The Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.