Jack Laval Pimentel

Longtime Scott Valley rancher Jack Laval Pimentel passed away on November 30, 2017 in Yreka after a 14-month long illness. The medical communities from Portland to Redding were astounded at how tough he was, and amazed at his humor and good cheer throughout his medical challenges. He was 69 years old. Jack was born on August 4, 1948 in Los Angeles to Joseph and Betty Ruth Pimentel. He graduated from North Hollywood High, was a star football player, and surfed every place along the Californian and Mexican coastlines. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art from San Fernando Valley State College (now CA State University, Northridge). He moved to Scott Valley in the winter of 1969 to start the family cattle ranch with his parents near Etna. He became an avid horseman, cattleman, roper, farmer, horse shoer, and all-around ranch hand driving and gathering cattle, and packing supplies up Shackleford Creek to their Marble Mountain Wilderness grazing lands. He loved to hunt and spend time at their mountain cabin with family and friends. He had a dynamic personality and was quite a character who loved people and having a good time making work fun. He had many interests from art to history (particularly WWII since his father was a fighter pilot in the European theater and had a successful career in aviation after the war). Jack was very active in the Scott Valley Pleasure Park Rodeo Association, was president in 1978, co-founder of the Pleasure Park Old Time Rodeo in 1977, served on the rodeo board for many years, and was Grand Marshall in 2009. He was instrumental in creating and participating in the Scott Valley Roping Club, and was a member of Siskiyou County Farm Bureau, and supporter of Siskiyou County Cattlemen’s Association. He had a passion for warbird airplanes and was a member of the Reno Air Race Association, was co-founder of the Reno Air Race Section 3 Fans, owner of a 1940 J-3 Piper Cub, and FAA-Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association member. Jack is preceded in death by his father, Joseph in 2004, and his mother, Betty Ruth in 2015. Jack will be missed by his wife, Carolyn, together for 48 years/married 44 years, two children, 9 grandchildren, and his only sister. Son Jess (Melissa) of Mesa AZ and their 6 children: Emily & Hannah (twins), Bridget, Tessa, Ruby, and William. Daughter Jaclyn (Camren) Boyce of Etna and their 3 daughters: Dusti, Paisley, and June. Sister, Betty Jo Grubb of Etna, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held on December 15, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Etna at 10:30 A.M., inurnment at the Etna Cemetery, and followed with a luncheon at the church. Those wishing to bring a dish may contact Sharon Erickson at (530) 598-6741. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Scott Valley Pleasure Park Association (SVPP, P.O. Box 337, Etna CA 96027), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church Etna Ward, C/O Bishop Samuel F Thackeray, 2600 E Callahan Rd, Etna CA 96027), or a charity of choice. Jack’s family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the many medical professionals that helped make it possible for Jack to have one more year. In particular, we express our appreciation for their excellent care: to Etna Ambulance and EMTs, to REACH Air Med Care Network, to Dr. Brett Sheppard & Surgical Team, and the Interventional Radiology Team at OHSU in Portland OR, to Doctors Nelson, Wynne, and Karan at Fairchild Medical Center in Yreka, to Dr. Richard Swenson at Swenson Medical Group in Yreka, and to the many many wonderful nurses at Fairchild, OHSU, Vibra Specialty Hospital in Portland, Linda Vista in Ashland, and to Mercy Medical Center in Redding that tended to Jack’s needs. Thank you.

Jack Laval Pimentel

August 4, 1948 - November 30, 2017