Rusty Pendrey

Joseph "Rusty" Lee Pendrey, of Grass Valley, California, passed away on December 3rd, 2023. Rusty was born on March 27th, 1945 in San Diego. He was raised by his mother, Celestine Pendrey, in San Francisco, California. After graduating from Lincoln High School in San Francisco in 1963, he attended San Francisco City College, and then later graduated from San Jose State University. He subsequently obtained a teaching credential from the University of California, Berkeley. He was an outstanding elementary school teacher in San Francisco for decades until his retirement in 2005.

In 1969, Rusty married his first wife Jane (Glickfeld) Pendrey, and they went on to have three children, Jeremy, Jason, and Jessica. They lived on Pedro Point in Pacifica, California, where Rusty spent his free time surfing, raising chickens, gardening, and playing guitar. During his summer breaks from teaching, he fished for salmon in the bay off Linda Mar Beach. He enjoyed the many friendships he had with his fellow fishermen. Also during several of his summers, the family went on road trips to places like Colorado and Minnesota.

After his first marriage ended, Rusty bought a Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 and often hit the road, including taking some long trips to places such as South Dakota. In 1990, he met Jane VanCantfort. They lived together with her two children Lindsay and Logan VanCantfort, first in the Linda Mar neighborhood and later in the Vallemar section of Pacifica.

Upon retirement, Rusty moved to a five acre ranch in Grass Valley, California, where he left his Harley days behind him and instead took up riding a horse. He also continued gardening, raising chickens, and went fishing in local lakes. In his early retirement years, Rusty also spent two winters living on a beach on the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico. But the ranch in Grass Valley was where his heart was. Jane VanCantfort soon joined him at the ranch, and after many years together, they wed in 2011. Over the years, his children and grandchildren loved visiting him, Jane, and all their animals. In Grass Valley, Rusty volunteered at the local food co-op, also as a fire lookout, and walked dogs at a local animal shelter.

Rusty was predeceased by his brother, Robert "Rep" Emerson Pendrey. He was also predeceased by his dogs Jack, Corta, Mason, and Sparky, as well as his horse Rascal and donkey Chester. He is survived by his beloved wife Jane VanCantfort, his children Jeremy Pendrey (Andee), Jason Pendrey (Emine), and Jessica Paul (Ryan), his step-children Lindsay VanCantfort (Charlie) and Logan VanCantfort (Stefanie), and his grandchildren Sonya, Justin, Ethan, Aaron, Abby, and Ollin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 22nd 2024, at the Pedro Point Firehouse in Pacifica, California. The public is welcome at 4:00 p.m. A private service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Donations in Rusty's name can be made to Sammy's Friends in Grass Valley, California or an inner city education organization of the donor's choice.