Jack Frederick Bonham
Jack Frederick Bonham passed away at Banner Hospital in Susanville, California on January 7, 2016. He was 93 years old. Jack was born in Portola, California, on July 16, 1922, to Rolland and Florence Drew-Bonham.
He was raised on the Bonham Ranch at Round Hole, Nevada, on the edge of the Smoke Creek Desert. He attended grade school at Bonham School, in Flannigan, Nevada, and attended high school in Reno, Nevada, graduating in 1940.
During his youth he learned to play the guitar, banjo, and accordion. It was at a New Year’s Eve dance in Doyle, California in 1943 that he met his wife to be, Marlee Randrup. They were married in Reno, September 29, 1946.
From his youth he loved riding motorcycles and flying. Jack was a pilot for 50 years. Jack was a respected, and accomplished, horseman and cattleman. He also was a Brand Inspector for Washoe County. He owned and worked on the ranch until 1971, when they sold it and moved to Susanville where he bought the 20 acre George and Martha Randrup alfalfa ranch.Along with working the ranch, he worked for the Lassen County Fairgrounds as the maintenance foreman for 11 years, from 1972 to 1983, when he retired.
Jack was a charter member of the Experimental Aviation Association in Susanville. Jack and Marlee were elected Old Timers of the Year for the 1998 Lassen County Fair.
Jack was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife Marlee, of 69 years, daughter Susan (John) of Susanville, sons Bill (Verlene) of Reno, and Jerry (LaDel) of Malin, Oregon, grandsons Jake (Kari) of Tigard, Oregon, Zeke of Red Bluff, California, Ethan of Malin, granddaughter Kara of Reno, great granddaughter Teagan of Tigard, great grandsons Cooper and Tristan of Red Bluff.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
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