Gary Dutro

GARY RAY DUTRO GARY RAY DUTRO, born January 30, 1943 in Chico to Ray and Leona Dutro, passed away May 9, 2014 at the age of 71 at his home in Red Bluff after a valiant battle with multiple illnesses. He was a leader, mentor and driven farmer, yet balanced high expectations with a sense of humor and a well-placed joke. As a boy, Gary was always the ringleader amongst his many cousins and friends, making sure that fun was had by all. He graduated Chico High School in 1960, attended Chico State College, then married his high school sweetheart Judy Shreve in 1963. After moving to Tehama County and spending dawn-to-dusk days establishing a respectable farming operation they started a family. If one didn't know Gary for his sugar beets, kidney beans, wheat, walnuts, almonds or other crops to have graced their dinner tables, they certainly knew him as "car number 43", blazing past opponents in turn four and taking the checkered flag at Silver Dollar Speedway or Shasta Speedway (frequently on back-to-back nights). In the eighties, one could find Gary coaching Little League girls' softball teams all the way to Western Regionals, making sure "Everybody hits!" He spent his free time waterskiing, jet boating, snowmobiling, riding wave runners, and operating any machine that satisfied his need for speed. After losing Judy to MS, he married longtime friend Christie Noftz in 2008 and enjoyed great prosperity in almond farming despite failing health issues. After an extensive training period he passed the ranch-management torch to his son-in-law H.D. Coelho, and could not have made a better choice to ensure that the ranch remained in capable hands long after he was gone. He is survived by his wife Christie, sister Kathy Leger (Ron), Durham; son Stephen (Jennie), Redding; daughter Anne Coelho (H.D.) and granddaughters Madison, Gillian, and Hailey, Gerber; stepsons Bill Noftz (Jamie), Seattle; Bob Noftz and two step-grandchildren Robert and Raquel, Red Bluff. Contributions in Gary's name may be made to Mercy High School, Red Bluff Little League, or the American Heart Association in care of Brusie Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be held at First Christian Church, 295 E Washington Avenue in Chico on Tuesday, May 20th at 11:00 A.M.. Online condolences can be sent to BrusieFH.com