HAROLD BALMAT

Harold, a life-long Chowchilla resident passed away on May 23, 2014. He was born to Ray and Bessie Balmat in 1921. Harold grew upon the family farm with his four sisters. He attended Chowchilla grammar schools and was Student Body President of Chowchilla Union High School. Harold married his first wife, Eleanor Souza, in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII where he lost his arm in an accident. Upon his discharge he returned to Chowchilla with his wife and daughter Cheryl. Soon after, his son Phillip arrived. He spent many years buying and selling dairy cattle before obtaining his real estate broker's license, He was the owner of Harold Balmat Real Estate in Chowchilla and retired in 2000. After Eleanor's passing in 1971 he married his second wife, Mary Melikian. Mary had two sons, Douglas and David Melikian. Harold and Eleanor were married for 28 years. He and Mary were married for 36 years. Harold was always very active in his community. He was a member of the Chowchilla Rotary Club. He served on the Board of Trustees of Chowchilla High School and twelve years on the Madera County Board of Supervisors. He was a supporter of Jackass Rock Youth Camp and helped build a cabin there in Eleanor's memory. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Bessie Balmat; his sisters, Guinevere Todhunter, of Chowchilla, Bernice Murphy of Fresno, and Shirley McCowan of Chowchilla. He is survived by his sister, Joyce Maddalena of Chowchilla; his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Harvey Hall of Fresno; his son and daughter-in-law, Phil and Jean Balmat of Stockton; his step-sons, Douglas and Luana Melikian of Madera and David and Kathleen Melikian of Fresno; four grandchildren, Jennifer and Todd Miller of Hollister, Kimberly Hall of Visalia, Heather and D.C. Felciano of Corning and Brett and Denise Hall of Reno. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Jared and McKenna Cook, Ryan and Carson Felciano, Ellie and Ava Miller and Sydney and Jacob Hall. A Graveside Service will be at Chowchilla Memorial Cemetery on June 2, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice; or Jackass Rock Youth Camp, 2934 E. Norwich Ave., Fresno, Ca. 93726.