Henry Van Vuren passed away on Saturday, January 25th. He was born in Artesia, California on February 3rd, 1939. He moved with his family to a small dairy in Modesto, California, and soon after to the long-time family farm near Escalon.

Henry graduated from Escalon High in 1956, and after a stint in the Army, he came home and purchased the family dairy from his parents and began a 50-year career as a dairyman. In 1966, he married Gail, and the two of them raised six children together. Henry coached little league for several years, and spent a great deal of time fishing with his friends or his brothers. He will be remembered fondly by his friends and family for his kindness, and his willingness to help. If you were stuck on the side of the road, he would find a way to get you home with a piece of baling wire, some chewing gum and a paperclip. He will also be remembered as one of the biggest junk collectors on this side of the Mississippi, a fact his wife did not especially appreciate. No matter how difficult the situation, he was the last one to panic. His calm family leadership will be sorely missed.

After retiring from the dairy, Henry spent his last years fishing, tinkering with his beloved 1959 Corvette, playing in his garden, and cursing at his woodsplitter.

Henry is survived by his wife, Gail, daughters Deborah and Beth, his sons, Wes, James, Joey, and Danny, brothers Gerald, Woody, and Ted, sisters Gladys Duyst, Anetta Van Heukelem, Cathy Van Duyn, Barb Ball, and his cribbage partners down at the coffee shop in Collegeville who taught him to swear in such an elegant fashion.

A brief celebration of life will be held at Deegan’s Funeral Chapel in Escalon on Wednesday, February 5th between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

Feb. 5, 2025