Jerry Mendon Obituary

JERRY MENDON 4-7-1930 to 8-31-2017 Jerry Mendon passed away Thursday, August 31 with his wife and family at the bedside. Jerry was born April 7, 1930 in Hollywood, California. Later, his family moved to Walnut, California where Jerry worked in the family citrus orchard. He went to Puente High School and in 1944 met the gal who would become his wife, Joanne. They dated throughout high school. Jerry graduated in 1947 & went to Cal Poly, Pomona. In 1948, Joanne graduated and Jerry (with his Dad's help) started his first nursery in San Gabriel, California. January 9, 1949 Jerry & Joanne were married. They raised three children. Gradually, the area became overcrowded and Jerry moved his family to a five acre lot on Foster Road in 1970. He had no intention of starting another nursery. They sold fruit and nuts from the trees growing on their property. As they met people, Jerry would discover what someone wanted. In short time, he would get whatever it was. This became his goal and the cornerstone of his business. It started with bare root fruit trees and expanded. People kept saying that he should start another nursery. So, in 1974, Jerry started Mendon's Nursery in Paradise, California. His son, John joined him in the nursery business in 1979. Jerry loved the nursery business. He loved finding the right plant for the right person. If somebody was looking for something he didn't have, he'd say he'd have some tomorrow, and then researched where he could obtain it and after work he'd go and get it. Jerry planted palm trees at LAX, Dodger Stadium and San Diego Marine World. He supplied many of the rose bushes for the recently completed Card Center Rose Garden in Chico. He was a president of California Landscape Contractors Association, a member of Master Nurseryman Association, Men's Garden Club, Paradise Mustangs Ragtops and was Grand Marshall for the Gold Nugget Days Parade in 2005. He donated plants to numerous charities, schools and non-profit organizations. He transported bleachers for high school graduations with his crane. He also used his powder blue convertible mustang to ferry Gold Nugget Princesses in the Gold Nugget Parades. Jerry also enjoyed deep sea fishing, bowling, golf, wood-working and family. Jerry is survived by his wife, Joanne tnd children Karen of Southern California, Mike (Joy) of Chico and John (Sheri) of Orland. He had thirteen grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. There will be a private graveside service for family. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to all in Paradise, Chico and the surrounding areas who helped make Jerry's life here one of happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment. He had countless friends. He was loved by many; he will be missed by many.

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Published by Chico Enterprise-Record on Sep. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Mendon

Sponsored by ChicoER.com.

12 Entries

Lee Brasel now a resident of Chico.

September 6, 2020

From an ardent fan of the Mendon family...but I'm happy that John is helping to start up another nursery in its place. All of Paradise loved and will miss the original Mendon's. Thanks for all the happy years.

Karen Smith

October 4, 2017

Dear Mendon Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Jerry's passing. I used to handle his print advertising for a long time when I worked at the local newspaper, The Chico Enterprise Record. He was a pleasure to work with, and he will be sorely missed.

May your family cherish the good memories. My deepest condolences to the Mendon Family.

margaret estrada

September 28, 2017

I am here for you and your family. I will remember him and all the things he did for me. To bring his tractor all the way from the nursery to spread the gravel that they rock yard dumped in a big pile. That was a really nice thing he did for me. There were many more things also. I thought of him and Joanne part of my family. He will truly be missed. Love Margaret

Cinde Nelson

September 14, 2017

Dear Mendon Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. We have been in and out of Northern California for the last few years and every time we cycle back, I love reconnecting with the friends we have made at the nursery. We treasure the years that we were neighbors on Dove Song Ct. I have fond memories of the 12 Days of Christmas sing along in December and Jerry holding the smallest neighbor children on his lap so that they could jump up for him when his verse was being sung. What a wonderful sense of humor he had! He will be missed by many. I hope you find great comfort in the memories you share and the support that you are to each other.

Affectionately, Cinde & Gary Nelson

Mikki and Terry Ashe

September 14, 2017

What a sad thing to learn of Jerry's death! Our heartfelt condolences go out to you, Joanne, and all the family. We wish you comfort as you recall all the loving memories of life with Jerry. Jerry was admired and loved by so many of us who benefitted from his generosity and wisdom over rhe years. He truly was a Master Gardener, but more than that, he was a kind human being who served his community with love and shared his knowledge freely to all. He will be missed and mourned by us and many others. God bless you and rest in peace, Jerry.

Stephanie Maynard

September 13, 2017

A little bit ago I called over to Mendon's Nursery to talk to Jerry Mendon and ask about a certain type of tree he helped me pick out. I was stunned when the lady told me that Jerry had passed away two weeks ago and that they had just recently posted about his passing in the paper. Jerry and Joanne's son, John, came on the phone and we talked for a few minutes about his Dad. My mind went back to so many memories when I first met Jerry and Joanne. Frank and I had just bought our first home on Stacy Lane the end of 1974, just down the road from Mendon's. The Mendons both had just started their nursery here in Paradise. During my pregnancy with my son Michael in 1975 I would walk up to the nursery and Jerry would help me pick out plants and then he would drive me back home and deliver them. When Michael was born soon to be 42 years ago next month, Jerry and Joanne were one of the first people in the community to hold him when I took him to the nursery. As Michael grew to a toddler Jerry would take him on the plant cart to drive around the nursery and we would all pick out the plants for the new spring season. Then when my friend Lori opened the Winding Vine gift shop at Mendons, Jerry never failed to drop by and say hello and often times bring us a cold drink when we were decorating the shop for the holidays. Such a kind hearted man that shared that big heart with so many. As the years have rolled by Jerry helped pick out the landscaping for Michael's first home and hand picked and delivered the biggest majority of our now huge trees and shrubs for our home of 29 years. Just three weeks ago I called the nursery and I talked with Jerry for a bit. We both laughed at how big one of our ornamental oaks had gotten that we planted 20 years ago, when both Jerry and I thought it would stay a medium size. That tree is a beauty and it probably grew so big because it was planted near the septic tank - LOL. So dear sweet man Jerry, you will be greatly missed in our town of Paradise. And yet, there are thousands of homes that are graced with the beauty of the plants and flowers from our beloved Mendon's Nursery, so there is a part of you all over Paradise and your memory will live on for generations. My love is being sent to Jerry's lovely wife Joanne and their children/grandchildren. Jerry's life was one well lived and now he is enjoying the majestic gardens in Heaven.

September 13, 2017

To John Mendon and the Family of Jerry Mendon,

My sincere condolence to your family and especially to John, who has helped me at the nursery in so many ways. Your Dad helped to plant Paradise, and my garden, with the plants from the nursery. He will be missed but my hope is that the nursery will go on.

Lee Brasel
Paradise Garden Club Member

September 13, 2017

What a gift to all of us who had the opportunity to know and benefit from the knowledge he shared with so many. I shall never forget the phone call from Jerry after he had read I was looking for roses for the upcoming Creekside Rose Garden at CARD in Chico. What a treat and surprise to hear him offer roses, and roses and roses. Ever grateful am I and so glad Jerry was such a lovely part of my life. Sweet memories.
And sympathy to his wife and son and those lucky enough to work with him.
Marilyn Warrens. Chico, CA

Penny Terstegge

September 12, 2017

I am so saddened to hear of Jerry's passing. He was a dear, dear friend to me and my family. We knew Jerry
from his very arrival in Paradise. Such an outstanding man with the most Wonderful way with people. He was
always there to give advice and really listen to your needs and problems. Joann and John and staff were always
there to assist Jerry in any way they could. He will be sorely missed by all of us. I am so Thankful that he was
a part of my life and that I really got to know him.
God bless the family during this most trying time.
Penny Terstegge

September 12, 2017

With deepest sympathy, may the power of prayer ease your sorrow, give you peace and provide much comfort for you and your family during this difficult time. (Matthew 21:22)
D. Wilmington-California

Carolyn Melf

September 9, 2017

I have lost a very dear friend. For the last 40 years I could rely on Jerry and his employees to make me feel like I was visiting friends at the nursery. Jerry always had good advice and wore a smile. I even remember the nursery pets: dog, cats and parrot. Visiting his small office in the back always felt cozy. The whole atmosphere created by Joanne and Jerry is very special.

Carla

September 9, 2017

I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss of Jerry. It's never easy to go through loosing someone you dearly love. I hope you can find some comfort in your time of loss. Reading Isaiah 61: 1,2 helped me when I was going through my loss.

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