Kenneth Yonan

1941 - 2018

Kenneth George Yonan
May 25, 1941 - Aug 12, 2018
Kenneth George Yonan passed away at the age of 77 on Sunday, August 12th at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, CA.
Kenneth was born on May 25, 1941 in Modesto, CA to Keena and Khana Yonan. He was raised on the family farm in Ceres, CA where he helped his father in the vineyard and learned the hard-working values his family would fondly remember him by. He attended Keyes schools and Turlock High School, graduating in 1959.
After high school, Kenneth started working for the Pacific Bell Telephone Company. A year later, in 1964, during the Vietnam War, he was drafted in the United States Army. He served honorably until he was discharged in 1966, upon which he continued his employment at the telephone company, devoting 27 years of hard-work until his retirement in 1990.
In 1974, Kenneth married his first wife, Laura Dale Shiver. They were married for 15 years before her untimely passing in 1989. Kenneth found love again when he met Wendy Mills. They were married in 1995 in Lake Tahoe, CA.
Besides tending to his almonds and grapes, Kenneth loved making homemade wine in his spare time. His greatest joy in life, however, was spending time with his family. He especially loved the time he spent with his five granddaughters, who he adored undeniably.
Kenneth was an avid member of the Assyrian Church of the East, the San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association (SJVWA), and California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG). He was honored with a lifetime achievement award in the wine and grape industry, a feat he was undoubtedly proud of.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Wendy Yonan; his son, Keena Yonan; his daughters, Sargina Yonan and Alicia (Jon) Cruickshanks; his five granddaughters: Kassidi, Makenna, Addison, Aubrey, and Makenzie; his brother, Roger (Esther) Yonan and sisters, Gloria (Dave) Zieour and Barbara (Arnie) Isola; along with many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 17th at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. A Funeral service will follow on Saturday, August 18th at 10 a.m. at Mar Addai Parish, 830 E. Canal Dr., Turlock.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Addai Parish at 830 E. Canal Dr., Turlock, CA 95380.
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