Virgil Simon Nesbitt

Virgil Simon Nesbitt passed away Monday July 18, 2011 at Madrone Hospice, Yreka. Virgil was born December 5, 1919 in Scott Bar, California. He was the youngest child of George and Belle Nesbitt. He attended grade school in the one-room school house, which is now the Scott Bar Community Hall. He graduated from Yreka High School in 1939. From January 29, 1943 until December 23 1945 he served in the U.S. Army aboard the Hospital Ship USS Comfort which sailed from California to Australia, Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa. After several unsuccessful bombing attacks the ship was hit by a Kamikaze plane and several personnel were killed when the Operating room was damaged. Virgil was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged from the service with the rank of S/Sgt After the war in 1946 Virgil worked for the Fruit Growers out of Hilt, California. Two years later on July 30 he married the love of his life Dolores. Their marriage lasted until her death on May 23, 2002. From Hilt the couple resided in Fortuna, California, where Virgil worked the Eel River Sawmills, Inc and retired from there in 1981 as Vice President. At that time they decided to move back to Virgil's birth place of Scott Bar where they built their ranch "Rancho Costa Lotta". They lived there happily until In 1990 when the need for medical care became imminent they moved to Yreka. Virgil always felt that life had been good to him and throughout the years Virgil and his wife donated their time and money to the community. Virgil served on many councils and clubs. He was active as a volunteer in the YMCA and "Meals on Wheels" The Nesbitts made philanthropic investments, and were campaign leaders for the Fairchild Medical Center. When the Scott Bar Community needed funds for a new foundation the Nesbitts again helped out. In 1990 they helped fund the Scott Bar Children's Association which helped towards Easter and Christmas parties. After the initial investment the children did their own fund-raising and were able to go on trips in the summer. Virgil added to the gold collection in the Siskiyou County Court House with gold his father had mined. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Wright, her husband Bill and their family, two nieces from his sister Irma's family, Dale (Pat) Payne and his family, the late Tom Payne's family, his friend Darlene Orsenico of Fortuna, California, and Virgil's faithful dog "Patches". He was predeceased by his wife Dolores and his good friend Ed Allen. Memorial services will be held at the Scott Bar Community Hall in Scott Bar, California 29 July at 3:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at a later date at the Scott Bar Cemetery. Girdner Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangement In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, California 96097 or the Scott Bar Community Hall, General Delivery, Scott Bar, CA 96085.

Virgil Simon Nesbitt

December 5, 1919 - July 18, 2011