David Lemon

1934 - 2024

David Gilbert Lemon

1934 - 2024

David Gilbert Lemon, a true Irishman, was born in Dublin to Leslie and Joan Lemon March 27, 1934. True to his heritage, he developed a green thumb and stubborn independence at an early age.

His father encouraged him to pursue a career in banking, so David travelled to England to study horticulture at The Royal Horticultural School at Garden Wisley. There, his charming personality fostered a relationship that would write the next chapter of his life.

In 1964, at the age of 30 years, David was offered a position as plant breeder for the Denholm Seed Company in Lompoc, California. After a short time, his talent gained the attention of The Ferry-Morse Seed Company in Hollister, California where he was offered a position he accepted.

Fate struck in 1969 when David, a single man, booked a cruise to Alaska. As the story goes, he and a beautiful blonde from Oklahoma were the only two passengers under the age of 50. Despite the cold temperature sparks flew, and love was in the air. A mere two years later, on October 22, 1971, he would marry Sandra Worthington who brought with her 3 kids under the age of 5. The Lemon Family was born!

In 1973 Denholm Seeds managed to convince David to return to Lompoc where he would spend the rest of his career (save for a one-year misadventure to Chicago). He worked for various seed companies including Denholm Seeds, Bodger Seeds, Ball Seed Company, and Oglevee Seeds. His passion early in his career was the development of French Marigolds at which he enjoyed great success. Later in his career he proved his skill in developing award-winning sweet peas and geraniums. Finally, after his first retirement from the flower seed industry, a local farmer in the Lompoc Valley named Steve Jordan convinced David that artichokes were merely prickly flowers. Challenge accepted, David went on to develop and propagate artichokes in the Lompoc Valley for years.

David had a storied and successful career. He was the recipient of the prestigious All-America Selections Medal of Honor in 1985. Later, near the end of his career, he received only the thrice awarded Breeders Cup Trophy for his lifetime of work in the field. He patented countless plant varieties and received the 10,000th plant patent leading to his geranium being grown in front of the White House.

When not breeding flowers, David was a lover of classical music. A student of piano himself, his family will always remember him playing his favorite piece, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. He greatly enjoyed attending orchestral events and solo performances with his wife and friends.

David was a very active member of the Lompoc Community. He was a long-time Rotarian, and member of the Lompoc Horticultural Society, Lompoc Community Concerts, and Lompoc Master Chorale. A long-time member of The Lompoc Methodist Church, David served on the worship committee and Methodist Men.

David was a lover of fine cheese and cheap Pinot Grigio. He bragged that his wife (despite her Midwest roots) made Yorkshire pudding better than any English Chef. See's Candy soft centers were his favorite guilty pleasure, and guilty he was!

That fateful trip to Alaska produced a proud clan of survivors. His wife Sandra will carry on and look after Winston, their loveable mutt who adopted them from the streets of Salinas. He is survived by children Kara (George), Kristi (Ron), and Kyle (Susan). Grandchildren include Alicia, Matt, Justin, Connor (Katie), Caitlyn, Carrie, Sierra, and Kelton. Back in Ireland he is survived by his nephews and niece Edward, Robert, Susan, preceded in death by sister Jean and niece Karin.

David Lemon will always be remembered for his very confused Irish accent, his love of sweaters and slacks, his knowledge of everything agriculture, and his fierce independence and stubbornness. He named a geranium he bred after each member of his family, a legacy his family promises to honor. As in all parts of his life, his sudden passing was done with his dignity intact. We will miss our Irish patriarch!

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday March 9th at First United Methodist Church, 925 North F Street, Lompoc, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Lompoc Master Chorale.