Graydon Charles Livingston

Graydon Charles Livingston died peacefully in his sleep in his home in Santa Cruz on Friday, June 23, 2006. He was 86. His family, dear neighbors and close friends mourn his loss deeply.

Graydon was born on December 13, 1919 in Clarksville, Michigan to Charles Livingston and Anna Robins. His father was a traveling salesman and the family moved several times. In 1939 after graduating from West End High School in Nashville, Tennessee he bought his first car, a topless Model T and moved to Los Angeles. He worked at American Aviation Co. in Inglewood and attended the Otis College of Art and Design. In 1942 he was drafted into the Army Air Corps where he worked as a radio mechanic until his discharge in 1946 as a decorated WWII veteran. In 1946 he married Phyllis Gervaise Shafer, whom he had met at Otis. They had five children together. After settling into his career he briefly moved his family to Monterey to design and build his own home but after two years he returned to Los Angeles in 1960. They divorced in 1972. For over 30 years in Los Angeles he enjoyed a successful career as a sculptor at Wolf and Vine, Commercial Displays.

In 1987 Graydon retired to Santa Cruz and developed a passion for the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems. Evidence of the multitude of his design is everywhere up at the Alan Chadwick Garden and the Farm. He could design and build anything with his beloved Graydon-like style. He was poetic and intelligent with all his projects from wreaths, lamps, gourds, dibbles, chess boards, sundials, to paintings. His organic Garden continues to reflect his masterful imprint. He was also involved in the friends of the Santa Cruz Public Library, Rancho Del Oso State Park, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Reproductive Rights Network, and Save Our City Committee. He loved Santa Cruz, especially UCSC Arts & Lectures, Nickelodeon Theater, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Logos Books and Records, Westside Video, the 4th of July, Aptos Day Parade, and the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night. Furthermore in honor of his 85th birthday the City of Santa Cruz proclaimed December 13, 2004 Graydon Livingston day.

Graydon is survived by his daughter, Lindsay Livingston of Cottonwood, Arizona, son and daughter-in-law, Sean and Carolyn Livingston of Santa Cruz, daughter, Hillary Livingston of San Jose, dear neighbors Chris Tomkins, Carol Fuller, and Habib Krit of Santa Cruz, close friends, Scott and Toni Campbell of Soquel, and an old friend from Otis, Sam Harris and his wife, Sylvana of Carmel.

Preceded in death by his ex-wife, Gervaise Livingston, and his sons, Dirck Livingston and Matthew Livingston.

Contributions are preferred to the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, please contact Heidi Rentera at 459-5417 or UCSC Foundation, c/o Heidi Rentera, Social Sciences 1, Faculty Services, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 and include "Farm and garden" in the memo line.

There will be a memorial service for all neighbors, friends, and family in Graydon's garden in August.

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