EUNITA "NITA" BOATMAN

Eunita "Nita" Boatman, age 87, of Lodi, CA passed away on October 23, 2025, after a two year battle with cancer.
She was born in Rotan, Texas in 1938 to Talva Maedel Blackford and Clarence Armon Blackford. The family traveled to California when she was a teenager and settled in Fontana California. She married Len Boatman and raised their family of six (6) daughters in Rio Vista where she owned & operated Delta Cleaners and Boatman Farms, where she raised show rabbits and farm animals. They moved to Colton, Oregon in 1978, where they again owned & operated Boatman Farms raising show rabbits. After Len's passing in 2013, she returned to California and settled in Lodi.
Her employment history includes serving as the editor for the American Checkered Giants Newsletter, Founder & Editor of Rabbits USA magazine, owner & operator of Delta Dry Cleaners, and working as the Livestock Superintendent at the San Joaquin County Fair, Dixon May Fair, Sacramento County Fair and the California State Fair for over 40 years.
She was very active in the rabbit industry and served as a District Director from 1981-1986 of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and was an active member of the ARBA for over 50 years. She was a member of the American Checkered Giant Rabbit Club, The American Federation of New Zealand Rabbit Breeders, LOP Rabbit Club of America, Oregon League of Rabbit & Cavy Breeders, National Silver Rabbit Club, Rex Rabbit Club, The California Rabbit Specialty Club, American Cavy Breeders Association and many more.
In the 1970s and 80s, she taught 4H and was a leader for FFA. She was very engaged in teaching and guiding youth in the agriculture and animal fields. She was a licensed judge for rabbits, cavies, goats and pot belly pigs and traveled the United States and Canada judging various shows and fairs.
She was a member of the Lodi Order of Eagles for 55 years and held the position of auxiliary president from 1972-73. Her 1972 photograph is still hanging on the wall at the Eagles hall.
Her current involvement of community groups included: Loel Senior Center, Lodi garden club and the Heart & Hand Grace Point quilters guild.
Nita and Len enjoyed retirement life and traveled in their motorhome. Each year they would leave Oregon in November and travel to the desert and warmer climates (snowbirds). Their adventures led them to the outdoor recreational activity of Geocaching where they claimed over 10K in geocaching finds. Their geocaching "handle" name was FairLady/Fisherman.
Nita was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Leonard Boatman (2013) and her daughter Della Dominguez (1995). She is survived by her daughters Diane Ramsey, Liz Cochrane, Penny Watkins (Ben), Lori Ordonez (Gus), and Debi Boatman; grandchildren Kimberly Ploshay (John), Ryan Dominguez, Rheanna Dominguez, Matthew Smith, Heathyr Smyth, Carly Armstrong (Jack), Kyle Watkins, Ana Ordonez, Eva Scott (Christian), Sami Ordonez (Shawn); great-grandchildren Courtney Baltazar (TJ) and Zack Ploshay; and great-great grandchildren Hadley & Riley Baltazar.
Nita will be placed to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery with her beloved husband Leonard Boatman. She has requested that there be no memorial services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of her favorite community organizations: Loel Senior Center 105 S. Washington St, Lodi, CA. 95240, Lodi Garden Club, Grace Point Heart & Hand Quilters Guild or San Joaquin Hospice.