Jack W. Schnoor (86) was born on June 11, 1932 at the family ranch in Chowchilla to Logan and Ruby Schnoor. He went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 25, 2018, 14 days after his 86th birthday. Jack was abundantly blessed by the love of his wife, Barbara, his children, family, and friends. A respected Valley agricultural and community leader and businessman, Jack had a full life, dedicated to family, community, church and agriculture.
Jack grew up in Chowchilla, graduated from Chowchilla Elementary School and Chowchilla Union High School, and attended Fresno State before spending two years in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict where he was stationed at the Tooele Army Depot in Utah.
Following his tour of duty, he returned to the home ranch in Chowchilla to begin his career in agriculture. Jack and his brother, Don, formed a partnership, Schnoor Brothers, growing a variety of crops including cotton, corn, alfalfa, potatoes, tomatoes, wheat and almonds. In 1982, the partnership was dissolved and he established Riverview Ranches with his son Brad in 1985. Jack’s foresight in the California almond industry led him to join other almond growers in 1996 to form Minturn Nut Company.
Throughout his tenure in agriculture, he was a mentor to many young farmers. His dedication to agriculture was reflected by his service as a 4-H leader, and as a member of numerous boards of directors including California Corn Growers, Federal Land Bank, the FFA Advisory Board, and Minturn Nut Company. For more than 20 years, he was on the Chowchilla Union High School Board of Trustees and the Merced Community College Board. He was also a member of the Chowchilla Rotary Club, the 20/30 Club, and a dedicated supporter/participant in the Tenaya Guild for the Valley Children’s Hospital. Jack was raised in and a member of the Chowchilla United Methodist Church (UMC), serving as Chairman and Treasurer of the Official Church Board, and cherishing his over 40 years as Sunday school song leader and superintendent. He had no greater joy than to lead the children, young and old, in songs of praise. At the closure of the Chowchilla UMC, he became a member of the Cornerstone Community Church.
Throughout his life, Jack enjoyed many passions especially fishing and hunting and was blessed to have experienced many trips with friends and family members. He was an avid gardener and constructor of doll houses. He was honored to be selected as the Madera County 2004 Senior Farmer of the Year, to be chosen as a lifetime member of the UMW and Honorary Future Farmer of America, as well as, to receive numerous National Corn Growers Association production awards.
He is preceded in death by his son Marc, his parents Logan and Ruby Schnoor, his brother Bob, his sister Jean Deters, and his brother-in-law Rodger Dobbel.
He leaves behind his wife of nearly 62 years, Barbara, his four children and their spouses; Brad (Mindy), Kim (Robert Moore), Matthew (Marcie), and Michael (Stacy), and the blessing of thirteen grandchildren; Amanda, Kirbe (Rudy Weiser), and Sydney Schnoor; Mackenzie and Trevor Moore; Brennan, Jacklyn, and Madeline Schnoor; Lukas, Logan, Rylee, Gracie, and Sadie Schnoor; and two great-grandsons. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Don and Peggy Schnoor and sister, Joyce Dobbel.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Cornerstone Community Church at 11:00 am following private graveside services at the Chowchilla cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations sent to Valley Children’s Hospital, 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera, CA 93636, the Cornerstone Church, 208 Fig Tree Road, Chowchilla, CA 93610 or the donor’s favorite charity.
