Ben Tozier

Harold Ben Tozier passed away suddenly at home on May 26, 2011 at the age of 81. Born on September 21, 1929 near Big Springs in Shasta Valley, Ben was the third child of Harry B. and Della M. Tozier. In 1932 the family moved to Scott Valley with Ben's grandfather, Charles Strang and a neighbor, Mr. Sears, driving two teams pulling wagons carrying their worldly belongings. The group stayed overnight at the Forest House and came on to Scott Valley the following day, arriving at the old Messner Ranch on Island Road near Etna. Ben's father rented the ranch from Dr. A. H. Newton, Sr., and ran a dairy there until the early 1940's. Later Harry, Ben and his brother Bud rented more land and did custom farming. About 1947 the Toziers started renting and farming the old Goodale Ranch (now the Pastures of Heaven) down Scott River Road. While attending Etna High School Ben was president of the Etna FFA Chapter and Senior Class and served in many other capacities. He was the first Etna student to travel to the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Kansas. In January, 1950, the three Tozier men formed a partnership and purchased the old Goodale Ranch. Then in 1951 Ben's life was interrupted by a call from Uncle Sam. He was honorably discharged in February, 1953, having served as a Private First Class with the 1st Cavalry Division on the front lines in Korea. Ben and Dolores were married in 1954 and made their home on the ranch, raising two daughters, cattle, hay and grain. Ben always loved work and appreciated a job well done. Between hay crops, he took his family on annual pack trips in the Marble and Salmon Mountains. For many years opening weekend of buck season was an annual holiday for Ben and his good friends at their Big Meadows camp. He often helped his friend and neighbor, Ed Burton, pack tourists into the mountains. He was an avid reader and also loved recalling stories of local characters and history. Ben and Dolores made memorable trips to Hawaii, Alaska and the Grand Canyon where Ben rode a mule on the Bright Angel Trail. Ben was active in the community, serving on boards of the Siskiyou County Farm Bureau, the Siskiyou County Cattlemen's Association, the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District, and was elected the first president of the Scott Valley Fire Protection District. He actively supported the Scott Valley Protect Our Water group and was a member of the Siskiyou County Historical Society. Ben was president of the Scott Valley Pleasure Park Association and served as Grand Marshall in 2003; Past Master of North Star Lodge #91, F&AM of Fort Jones and Past Patron of Evening Star Chapter #10, O.E.S., Etna, having received the Hiram Award from North Star Lodge and 50 Year Pins from both organizations. He was chosen Siskiyou County Cattleman of the Year in 2004. Ben's parents preceded him in death, along with his sisters Dolores “Muff” Eastlick and Norma Soules. Ben is survived by his brother, Maynard “Bud” Tozier (Ann); his wife of 57 years, Dolores; daughters Angela Faulkner (Geoff), and Pamela Hayden (Charlie); grandchildren Scott Reed, Andrea Reed Stimson, Della Rose Hayden and Frank Tozier Hayden; great-grandchildren Bailey Reed, Casey Reed and Faith Stimson and numerous nieces and nephews. In his later years Ben appreciated the friendship of Scott and Rene Guilford, who live and work on the ranch. It was a pleasure for him to spend time with their small children, Cordel and Bianca. Masonic services will be held on Friday June 3rd at 11:00 A.M. at the Fort Jones Cemetery, including Military Honors by the American Legion, Perry Harris Post #260. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Scott Valley Scholarships, P.O. Box 352, Etna, CA 96027 or Scott Valley Protect Our Water, P.O. Box 1527, Callahan, CA 96014. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Ben Tozier

September 21, 1929 - May 26, 2011