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MADERA – The man responsible for building most of Madera's west side has passed away at 94. David L. Berry was born in 1927 to Dutch and Hattie "Bill" Berry in Lamesa, Texas. The family soon migrated west to California, eventually settling in Madera, where Dutch operated a sawmill.

David attended Madera Union High School before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard towards the end of World War II, where he served on the U.S. Naval Ship  Hodges (operated during the war by the United States Coast Guard). While on the Hodges, Berry saw ports of call in New Guinea and the Philippines. The ship was also a part of the push towards Japan before their surrender. The ship then returned to San Francisco on Independence Day 1945 before leaving later that year for New York by way of the Panama Canal.

William Lawrence Farnesi (98) was born on September 3, 1922, in Madera CA to Alfredo and Caterina (Tocchini) Farnesi. He passed away peacefully on July 14, 2021, in Fresno, CA. “Bill” attended Madera grammar Schools and graduated from Madera High School in 1942. While in High School he played baseball, ran track where he set County records and was a stand-out basketball player, and enjoyed many social clubs on campus as well.

By this time, his Father had already opened Madera’s first gas station where Bill spent many hours working afternoons and evenings for the family business. Bill also found he had a passion for woodworking and crafting, it wasn’t long before he found a place at Dean & McNally as a cabinetmaker. This love and craft would remain with him for the rest of his life.

James C. Spraggins (85) a native of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away June 27, 2021. Jim was born to William and Linda Hollingsworth Spraggins and was raised in Madera and was a graduate of Madera Union High School class of 1956. He was a cement contractor for over 45 years in Madera and served many families and businesses in our community.

He was raised as a Catholic, yet volunteered for many different churches as well as coaching in Little League for 25 years in the National League. Jim was selected as the Manager for the Madera National All-star team a number of times and had great success. In addition, he helped in other youth sports and Park events. Jim was an avid Fisherman and Hunter and he enjoyed the solitude of the outdoors.

Ray Pool (95), highly esteemed Madera farmer, crop duster, and community benefactor died Saturday evening, a victim of the COVID-19 virus with his family at his side. He was 95.

Ray came to Madera from Arizona in 1933 at the age of nine with his parents, Faye and Ray Thomas Pool, and three younger sisters. They farmed in the Arcola district and moved into a farmhouse on Avenue 12, later that was turned into a restaurant called the Vintage House. From that residence, Ray rode a horse to Arcola School, often with Kenny Robbins with whom he began a lifelong friendship.

Larry Dean Taylor (70), a native of Amarillo, TX and a resident of Madera for 65 years, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021.

He attended local churches throughout his life and worked as a mechanic at Bisceglia Brothers Winery and later at Selsor Demolition as a heavy equipment operator. Larry was a graduate of J.F.K. High School in Barstow, CA, and proudly served in Vietnam in the U.S. Army where he received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Charlotte  Montague Hardin (99)  Lesan passed away on December 18, 2020 following a brief illness, at the age of 99 1/2.  She was born July 10, 1921, in Helena, Arkansas to Flora East Hardin and Melver “Dick” Hardin.  She moved to California when she was three years old, living in both Corcoran and Wasco, before coming to Madera at age nine.  

She went to local schools, attended the University of California for two years before transferring to Fresno State where she graduated with a teaching credential in the primary grades.  She taught one year of kindergarten in Chowchilla, before marrying James Lesan, of Madera, in 1945 upon his separation from the Air Force.