Gary Guy Griswold Obituary

Gary Griswold passed away at the age of 78 on October 10, 2021, at Enloe Hospital. Gary is survived by his wife, Nancy of 46 years, Daughters Salina Rhodes (Tim) Chico, CA, Tresi Yinger (Kent) Santa Rosa, CA, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, brother Jerry Griswold, Indio, CA and niece Kerri Hunter (Andrew), Pleasanton, CA.
Gary was born on June 2, 1943, in Oakland, CA to James and Berniece Griswold (both deceased). He was a long time Chico resident graduating from Chico High School in 1960 and Chico State in 1965, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Agri Business and was a member of the Lambda Pi Fraternity. Gary began working in Agriculture at 15 years old, which ended up being his calling in life. He worked for Dutro Brothers Farming as a Farmhand from 1960-1965 and worked for two years in the Fertilizer and Chemical Industries. He was also a Drill Sergeant E-5, in the U.S. Army Reserves. He began his banking career working in the farm lending industry at Federal Land Bank at offices in Red Bluff, Woodland, Berkeley, and Chico, in many different capacities eventually becoming President/CEO. He then continued at Northern California Farm Credit where he worked for many years as Senior Vice President. Gary then was hired at North State National Bank as Executive Vice President and eventually moved on to Northern California National Bank where he retired in 2010.
Gary was very active in many organizations around Chico and Butte County, including Chico City Planning Commission from 1973-1974, CSUC Ag Advisory Committee where he is a past Chairman, Founding Member of Superior Ag where he was a board member, served on the scholarship committee, and was Chairman of the Golf Tournament from 2000-2001 raising money for CSUC Ag Scholarships. He was also on the Farm City Week Committee serving as Tour Chairman and Farmer's Fair Chairman and was on the Boy Scouts of America Fundraising Committee from 1999-2001.
Gary was also a guest lecturer at many local college and agriculture meetings, classes and functions. Gary really enjoyed being involved locally and was a member of Butte County Farm Bureau serving in many different capacities over several years, 48-year member of Chico Elks Lodge, and a past member of Chico Rotary Club. As a result of Gary's extensive involvement and dedication to local businesses and organizations, he was the recipient of many awards for his efforts. Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from CSUC Agriculture in 1991, Appreciation Award for Volunteer Efforts as a Session Coordinator for Leadership Chico, Farm City Week Agriculture Community Service Award in 1994, CSUC Distinguished Service Award in 1994, CSUC Department of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997, and Butte County Farm Bureau Member of the year in 2002. Gary loved farming especially his fifty-acre walnut orchard in West Chico.
Along with his wife Nancy, they owned and operated Griswold Farms beginning in 1974 and continuing to this day. Gary was in the orchards as often as he could be while working, and upon retirement you could almost always find him outside tending to the trees. He loved being on a tractor, pruning, or whatever it took to make his walnuts thrive. Gary not only loved farming, but he also loved the farming community and people involved in it. As a hobby he enjoyed restoring and showing classic cars, even winning the 1990 National Sweepstakes Award in New Orleans with an impeccably restored '56 Ford Pickup.
Gary and Nancy also enjoyed gardening together, spending many hours over the years making their yard beautiful - so spectacular it was on the Chico Garden Tour twice. In addition, Gary and Nancy loved traveling around collecting art. Each beautiful piece carefully and thoughtfully selected by both.
Gary was a loving husband, father, grandfather and wonderful friend to all he met, and he was always there for his family. Gary had the wonderful ability to strike up a conversation with anyone. He could meet someone for the first time, and they would leave saying "what a great guy". He always had a smile on his face and loved to laugh. Gary was very dedicated to everything he did and spent tireless hours making each project just how he wanted. Gary was always willing to go the extra mile for a worthy cause and was very supportive, caring, and had a huge heart. Gary will be missed terribly by his family as well as all that knew him.
Graveside Service for family and friends will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, 11115 Midway, Chico, on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 11am. Please send donations, in lieu of flowers to your charity of choice.
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