Leonard J. Luiz, Jr.

Leonard J. Luiz, 68, passed away on October 23, 2013, at his home in Weed, CA, losing his battle with renal cancer which began in May, 2010. Leonard was born in San Francisco, California to Leonard and Ida (Machado) Luiz. Leonard learned early to face his obstacles and challenges with strength and courage. By the age of 12 Leonard had required three operations to correct the double vision in his eyes, had overcome a serious back injury from a fall and survived an attack of acute appendicitis which caused his collapse while helping his father unload hay. Leonard worked with his father with his commercial hay truck business in Central California until Leonard Sr. died from a heart attack when Leonard was only 13. Leonard found a job working for the McCullough dairy as a milker. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough soon became very fond of the young Leonard. Mr. McCullough encouraged Leonard to learn home construction, forming foundations and laying tile while Mrs. McCullough assisted him to improve his education. The moral support and love from the McCullough’s were instrumental to helping Leonard develop a strong will and inner strength. In 1961 Ida Luiz purchased a dairy in Maxwell, CA, sending 16 year old Leonard to handle the responsibilities of dairy operation until she could arrive with the family. Leonard graduated from Maxwell High School in 1964 where he lettered in football and became skilled at woodworking, producing professional quality furniture. After graduation Leonard thoroughly enjoyed being with his friends both at work, hunting and play. In 1965 Leonard married Sue Peters. Leonard continued to work in the Maxwell area for Frank Vieira dairy where he was a milker, an equipment operator and helped wherever Frank asked. In order to take care of his growing family, Leonard moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, in 1967 to work at the Thys DeHoop dairy. Leonard was the milker and the herdsman for the DeHoops, becoming a certified Artificial Insemination technician. While he enjoyed his work, Leonard decided he wanted to own his own dairy. He became a commercial truck driver in 1970 working the Bar L hauling company to make the money needed to put a down payment on his own place. In May, 1972, Leonard put a down payment on the Jersey herd at Shasta View Jersey in Weed, Ca; taking up his lease option to purchase the dairy in 1978. The divorce from Sue in 1992 forced Leonard to sell all his Holstein dairy cattle ending his life as a dairyman. Leonard married Barbara Mills in February, 1993. Together with Barbara, Leonard repurchased the Shasta View Ranch and developed a commercial beef cattle herd. In addition to operating the cattle ranch, Leonard returned to driving a commercial truck. For about 21 months Leonard drove for Menne Ranch before becoming a commercial truck driver for Finley Ranch in August, 1994. Leonard was forced to stop driving for Finley’s in June, 2011, when his renal cancer metastasized causing his right collar bone to break. Even at this stage of cancer, Leonard continued working his cattle, irrigating his ranch and putting up his own hay. His hard work and determination amazed everyone, especially his oncologists. Leonard was recognized as an inspiration by his friends. Leonard is survived by his wife, Barbara; his three children, Joseph and Caroline (Santos) Luiz of Ft. Jones, Mike and Tammie (Zediker) Luiz of Montague, and Cheri and Brian Skudlarek of Cottonwood; his two brothers, Leal Luiz of Maxwell, CA and Tony Luiz of Arbuckle, CA. He was especially fond of his grandson Robert Anthony Mills (mother Annie Thomas) lovingly nicknamed ‘Squirt’ and he enjoyed his six other grandchildren. The Graveside Service for Leonard is at the Edgewood Cemetery on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 1 p.m. with a Memorial Service to follow at Grace Presbyterian on Davis Street in Weed, CA. Donations may be made to the outreach and youth programs at Grace Presbyterian in memory of Leonard. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family and online condolences may be made at www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com