Deward Tornell

DEWARD DUKE'' TORNELL Deward Duke'' Tornell was taken to meet his Savior on Friday evening (Sept. 21, 2007) after experiencing several years of declining health. He was 89 years old. His love of sports was nurtured at a variety of levels as an outstanding athlete, a highly- respected basketball referee, a high school football coach and as a fan. But it was his love for his family and Savior that became the driving forces of his life.

Deward was born February 5, 1918 in Turlock to Evar and Julia Tornell. The family, which included his sister, Bernice, moved to Ripon six years later. Deward attended Ripon schools, Modesto Junior College and San Jose State and was a standout multi-sport athlete at each level. At Modesto Junior College he was an all-conference football player and also a starter on the 32-1 Pirate basketball team that won the JC National Championship. He played football, basketball and baseball at San Jose State College, and after a stellar three-year football career, he was selected in the 1941 National Football League Draft by the Washington Redskins. His professional football career was cut short by injury and the advent of World War II.

He served in the United States Army for nearly four years and eventually attained the rank of Captain. However, a serious back injury suffered during military training prevented him from participating in the D-Day invasion in Europe.

Deward was a plant supervisor at Sharpe Army Depot before joining his cousin, Gordon in operating Tornell Farm Service, a family business started earlier by has father and two uncles. Before retiring, he spent nearly fifteen years as an almond farmer in rural Ripon.

Deward was familiar with hard, dirty work that often demanded long hours, great strength, and an abundance of stamina. However, he was just as comfortable preaching at the Stockton Gospel Rescue Mission, singing in the Bethany Covenant Church choir, teaching a Sunday School class, or directing a children's Christmas program. He was also a popular volunteer varsity football coach at Ripon High School for over twenty-five years and was an integral part of several of the finest teams in RHS history.

Deward is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor; a sister, Bernice; his three children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He dearly loved his family and was beloved by them.

Following a private graveside service at Ripon Cemetary, family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Heartland Community Church in Ripon at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 29

Memorial contributions can be made to Heartland Community Church (formerly Bethany Covenant Church) which was Deward's church home for over 70 years.

Heartland Community Church, 510 W. Main St., Ripon, CA 95366 Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.

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