Obituary of George Roney

George Ulric "Pop" Roney, born August 7, 1923 in Chico, CA to George Wallace "Jock" and Ulrica Bennett Roney, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Monday, September 30, 2013 at the age of 90. On August 4, 2013 he delighted in a birthday celebration of life attended by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Descended from Butte County pioneer families, George lived his entire life north of Chico. As a cattleman and a farmer, he was diligent and devoted to nurturing the soil and proud of the thriving walnut orchard planted recently on the last virgin soil homesteaded by his ancestors. The Roney ranch was inducted July 2013 into the California Agricultural Heritage Club to recognize over 150 years of continuous operation and fostering agricultural excellence in California, having been established in 1859 by George's great-great grandfather. Always the gardener, he shared his produce with neighbors and friends and made pomegranate jelly to give during the holidays. He also prided himself in making fruit leather for grandchildren and great -grandchildren. Graduating from Los Molinos High School and then University of California, Davis, he began his ranching/farming career with his brother, Elwin Archibald Roney, as the Roney Brothers. Later, Elwin took over the cattle operation and George farmed the land. He did row crop farming and then planted almond and walnut orchards. His talents included carpentry (building barns and sheds on his land), electrical wiring, plumbing and mechanicsall essential in the career of farming. He participated in many organizations including the Chico Leland Stanford Masonic Lodge (50 year member), the Chico Elks Lodge, and Chico Rotary International. He served many years on the governing board for the Federal Land Bank. In more recent years he participated in SIRS, COGS (Chico Old GoatSa group of friends previously members of Chico Rotary, who met monthly for lunch) and the Comanches (a horseback riding group in which he was "Concha", member of the Burros Muertos tribe). George was also an avid sportsman. In high school he was on the basketball team and in college he played tennis. As an adult he enjoyed golfing (with his wife and friends), fishing (with his offspring) and hunting (with his sons and friends in the BARR group...Bell-Anderson-Reidel-Roney). He was predeceased by his beloved, devoted wife of 66 years, Emma "Nan" Uhl Roney, who passed away April 13, 2012. Together they loved and supported each other and shared many years farming, traveling, and raising a family. They spent summers at their cabin in Butte Meadows where they participated in the Butte Meadows/Jonesville Community Association and helped author the book, "A Small Corner of the West". As authors they also documented their lives by writing and publishing their memoirs, "Treasured Memories and a little B.S.", a 371 page book which is enjoyed by all their descendants. George is survived by his daughter, Margaret "Peggy" (Tom) Arms of Paradise, CA, and sons, Roy (Donna) and John (Sue) of Chico, his grandchildren, Adam (Julia Greenfield) Arms of Portland, OR; Lani (Briny) Woods of Ladera Ranch, CA; Carrie (Ryan) Vanella of Chico; Jenny (Dave) Fipp of Haddonfield, NJ; Megan Roney of Chico; Sonnet (Chris) O'Kane of San Diego, CA and his 11 great grandchildren, Amelia and Gabriel Arms, Alexis and Dean Woods, Carson, Ryley and Kate Vanella, Ashlee, Lilly and Tyler Fipp and Scarlett O'Kane. Graveside services will be held Sunday, October 6 at 10 AM at Pine Creek Cemetery on Broyles Road north of Chico. Contributions may be made to Chico Rotary Foundation or Nord Country School in care of Brusie Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Townsend House for providing two months of loving care this summer and Bright Star and Butte Home Health and Hospice for their care during the last weeks of George's life. We will miss you, Pop, but know you are where you want to bewith Nan, the love of your life.