JOHN VEYSEY

1944 - 2025

JOHN CHARLES

VEYSEY

Mar. 26, 1944 – Jan. 28, 2025

John Veysey passed away in Aliso Viejo, CA on January 28, 2025, where he and his wife, Pat lived for the past two years. He was born in Pasadena on March 26, 1944, to Victor and Janet Veysey.

As a toddler, his family moved to Brawley, choosing to raise their family in a beautiful rural environment. John attended schools in Brawley, graduating from Brawley Union High School in 1963. He then attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo before returning to Brawley to start his career in the Agriculture Industry. John started managing his parents farm property for a short while before going to work for Gene Jordan at Jordan Implement Company. While there, he learned great business tools for sales and management from Gene, Lonnie Stiff, Norm Byrum, and Hugh Kissick. All great people and community leaders from Brawley.

John had the opportunity to lease a bundle of farm ground from C. A. (Mage) Martin in the early 1970s, located just south and to the west of what was the Holly Sugar Factory outside of Brawley. This was the start of a lifelong career in Agribusiness. As the years progressed, he expanded his farm base to two other locations in rural Brawley. During this time a great friendship developed with John (Johnny) Elmore. Johnny became his mentor in the Produce Industry, and encouraged John to grow, pack and ship John's own crops.

John was a true believer in all things Imperial Valley. He served on Wheat and Cotton Commissions. John was Chairman of the Imperial Irrigation Water Conservation Committee for many years. He also served as an Advisor to the University of Californiaboth to the Chancellor of the Riverside Campus, as well as the President of the Universityattending many meetings at the Berkeley campus.

During the 1970s, John worked on the Committee that brought all Imperial Valley residents into the fold of fighting for our established water rights, protecting the Valley from having their water taken away. (Also known as the 160 Acre Limitation movement.) A remarkable effort on the part of many community leaders taking our cause to San Diego and Los Angeles. For memory's sake, busloads of local residents as well as truckloads of tractors drove the freeways with American Flags unfurled. It was an astounding feat with John Veysey as well as Jack Williams from El Centro paving the way for this incredible caravan to greet the current Governor's planned event as well as the President's arrival in Los Angeles.

Perhaps his happiest time was being a member of the Imperial Valley Fair Board for 8 years. During this time, John worked with Bill Brandenberg from El Centro/Calexico, and Howard Smithers from Holtville to establish a Foundation to raise money for new animal barns and show rings for the expanding number of 4-H and FFA participants at our annual County Fair.

John loved being the leader of the newly formed Jr. Fair Board (originally with 8 members selected throughout the entire Valley Community). Their responsibilities were well monitored and a vital part of our youth leadership program.

John had a great love for Lake Arrowhead. As a child he was fortunate to have great summers there with his family. Once an adult, raising his own family, Arrowhead was a constant during the summer weekends. Skiing and sailing in the summer. Snow skiing at Big Bear during the winter. John was a member of the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club, and the Lake Arrowhead Country Club, where he proudly introduced himself as "a farmer!"

John retired from his work officially in 2006 when he moved to La Quinta. It was there he really learned to "play." He played golf with the greatest of new buddies, stopped to visit with all new residents, all the gardeners, and all the staff. He was officially awarded a plaque from the Andalusia County Club management naming John as their "Mayor." He knew no stranger!

He was an outdoorsman. Fishing, hunting, skiing, sailing, and golfing all made fun for John.

John was in declining health during the past few years, and most recently resided in Aliso Viejo, CA.

Throughout all John's years in business, his wife Pat was his constant partner.

Surviving John is his wife, Pat; daughters, Julia Eckberg (David) and Kathy Veysey; son, Stephen Veysey (Vicky).Also, granddaughters, Morgan Veysey Moore (Austen), Sarah Salazar, Trevor Eckberg, and Devon Eckberg; as well as brothers, Tom Veysey (Millie), and Mark Veysey. Wonderful nieces and nephews are added to this special list.

Preceding John in death, son, Victor Charles Veysey, and John's sister, Ann Veysey Childress.

Celebrating John, plans are made for Thursday, February 20, 2025. A church service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brawley will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by a short graveside gathering at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley. Then a joyful luncheon celebration for John at the Stockman's Club in Brawley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 402 South Imperial Avenue, Brawley, CA 92227, or to Pioneers Museum (Imperial Valley Historical Society) 373 East Aten Road, Imperial, CA 92251.