Ralph Kazarian Sr.

Ralph Kazarian, Sr. pas-sed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at age 92. Ralph was born on March 10, 1915, in Tulare, California to Asadoor Kaz-arian and Juhar Sookoian-Kazarian. At the age of five, Ralph's family moved to Fowler, California. Ralph at-tended Fowler High School, graduated in 1934, and completed two years at Fresno State College. Ralph married Isabel Onanian on June 29, 1938, and had one son, Ralph Sonny Kazarian, Jr. Ralph passed away less than one month of his 69th wedding anniversary. As a young boy Ralph helped his parents on their ranch, but not sure if farm-ing was for him and being the epitome of a true entrepreneur, he set out to make his mark in life. Ralph tried his hand at commer-cial tractor work and raisin hauling. He developed and ran a gas and auto service station with Isabel working by his side. Ralph had extraordinary vision and the courage to capitalize on those visions. Though Ral-ph found success in his business ventures, he rea-lized farming grapes was his passion. When Ralph wasn't farming, he loved helping a friend sell fruit at the downtown farmers mar-ket, and playing poker with his buddies at Club One - playing poker was his favorite pastime. He was a collector of just about everything, and he loved restoring automobiles and raising birds. Ralph had a long and fulfilling life with many accomplishments. He was the pillar of the family and will be greatly missed. The one thing that can be said about Ralph is that he did life his way. He was preceded in death by his brother Luke. Ralph is survived by Isabel, his dear wife of 69 years; his loving and de-voted son, Sonny Kazarian and his wife Jeffri of Fres-no; his loving grandson, Michael Sonny Kazarian of Fowler; sister, Mary Gig-liotti of Fresno; and nieces and nephews. A Graveside Service will be held at the Fowler Cemetery on Friday, June 8, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. A Memorial Luncheon will immediately follow at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. In lieu of flowers, do-nations may be made to the charity of choice.