ERNEST ARMEN BEDROSIAN

Ernest Armen Bedrosian, better known as "Ernie", was born in Parlier, California on November 7, 1933, to Murad and Elizabeth Bedrosian. Murad was from Mush, Armenia, and Elizabeth was from Kharpert, Armenia; both were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Ernie was the second of four children, one older sister Clara, and two younger brothers Krikor "Kay" and Kenny Bedrosian. Ernie as a child was a good student who had a keen sense of family and defending his family; many times getting into fights to protect his brothers and sister. An interesting anecdote about Ernie is that he was given a special driver license at the age of twelve since his mother and father couldn't drive and one of his brothers needed medical attention in San Francisco. Many times Ernie would recount stories of driving up and down the hills of San Francisco and being stopped by the police and what a chuckle he would have at showing the police his special driving permit. In high school he played baseball, basketball, track, and field, excelling in the shotput. He was elected high school student body vice president and was salutatorian of his high school senior class. It was during his senior year that he started to court Carlotta Ketchian. It seemed to be a match made in heaven since his mother and Carlotta's mother had known each other in the old country. Ernie went to Fresno State College, graduating with high honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree in agriculture. It was around this time that the seeds for forming the Raisin Bargaining Association were planted. He related to us that he had attended the Raisin Marketing order hearings, and from these hearings he learned much about marketing orders and their economic benefits. After graduating from Fresno State College in 1955, he joined the U.S. Army, becoming a food specialist, and played softball on the base team, representing the base in many army tournaments. It was also during this time on July 21, 1956, that Ernie married the love of his life, Carlotta Ketchian, at the Fowler Presbyterian Church, with the reception at the old Bruces Lodge in Fowler. After their honeymoon, they moved to New York where Ernie was stationed. In 1957, their son Bryan was born. This birth was followed in 1962 by the birth of their daughter Tammy. Ernie returned home in 1958 and started working on the family raisin and wine vineyard on Manning and Temperance with his father Murad and brothers Krikor and Kenny. It was at this time that Ernie, with his brothers, started a successful grape harvesting business. And it was a few years later that Ernie started serving on the various raisin boards and committees where he met many of the leaders of the Raisin industry, such as Arpaxat "Sox" Setrakian. So, he slowly gained contacts and ideas which lead him to decide to form the Raisin Bargaining Association the " RBA" in 1966. Ernie served as its first president and successfully guided the association through its early years, and with price negotiations with the raisin packers. The year prior to the RBA formation, the grower received 230 dollars per ton on open contract. The next year with the RBA negotiating contracts, the price rose to 305 dollars a ton, thus stabilizing the whole raisin market. Forty-seven years later, the price went up over seven times to 1650 dollars per ton, thanks to the existence of the RBA. Today, the RBA is the most successful and largest bargaining association in the country. As anybody involved in the raisin industry knows, that was an amazing feat organizing the raisin growers, considering that raisin growers are a very independent lot. Ernie always emphasized to everybody that his two brothers Krikor and Kenny, along with his wife Carlotta, and Krikor's wife Katherine, and Kenny's wife Jane, were behind his efforts 100%, and always encouraged him in forming the association, and assured him that they would take care of the vineyard and home so Ernie could be free to devote all his time to forming the RBA. Without their support and quiet stewardship of the family business, Ernie would not have been successful in this endeavor. During the 60s, the brothers, Ernie Krikor and Kenny, started expanding their farming operation as well as purchasing vineyards in the Fowler area, and dabbling in growing Thompson table grapes. In 1967 the brothers decided to go into the raisin packing business; with a partner Harry Rustigian, they opened National Raisin Company or "NRC" in 1969, and developed the "Champion" brand a few years later. Ernie served as the president, taking care of sales and day to day operations, with Krikor taking care of the books, and with Harry Rustigian doing the processing of raisins. They started that first year buying 2000 tons of raisins and many times they would be waiting for a buyers call. They sold out their raisin inventory that first year and slowly built up the business. After a few years, their partner Harry decided to leave the company and pursue farming. The brothers appreciated Harry's efforts and contributions in those early years. Harry and his son Dennis, to this day, continue doing business with National Raisin Company. In 1972, the frost came, wiping out a major portion of the raisin crop. It was this year that really propelled National Raisin Company. Raisin prices in the market place increased dramatically and Ernie, being a tough negotiator, was able to get the top dollar for the raisins National had purchased. National Raisin continued to prosper over the next 42 years with Ernie serving as President until his retirement. Today, National Raisin company has grown into the largest independent raisin prune and dried fruit operation in the world, packing dried fruits under its own Champion brand and various other private labels. The company employees over 500 people and ships product to all points on the globe. After formation of National Raisin Company, Ernie continued to be very active in raisin industry politics, serving as Raisin Administrative Committee Vice Chairman and Chairman various times. All his successful efforts to improve the raisin industry earned him the affectionate title of "Godfather". Ernie was not only a great businessman whose word was his bond and who loved the raisin industry, but he was a great father. No matter how busy he was, he always had time for his son and daughter, whether it was attending their sporting events or practicing with them in their various sporting activities, or helping them with their homework. He also was a man of strong Christian faith. Many times he served as elder at his church, the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno, and served on the church's various building committees. One thing about Ernie is, he would always answer his cell phone. If you called he would pick it up. Finally, he was a great husband to Carlotta; wonderful grandfather to Cortney, Tyler and Armen; great-grandfather to Lillian, Armen and Stephanie Bedrosian's daughter. Ernie and Carlotta in 2013, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. They had a great relationship and worked together at National Raisin Company for over 39 years. Ernie had a life well lived and now he is in the Arms of Jesus. Ernie is survived by his loving wife, Carlotta; son, Bryan and wife Rosie; daughter, Tammy Shegerian and husband John; grandchildren, Cortney and Tyler Shegerian and Armen Bedrosian and his wife Stephanie and their daughter Lillian. He is also survived by his sister, Clara Bousian; brothers, Krikor and his wife Katherine and their grandson Ryan, Kenny and his wife Jane and their daughter and son Kimberly and Ara; his nephew, Michael his wife Stephanie and their children Michael and Matthew, his nephew, Paul David and his wife Teresa and their daughter Isabella,; and his niece, Linda Kay Abdulian and her husband Dr. John Abdulian and their children Alexis Katherine and Daniel; his niece, Jane Asmar and her husband Dr. Scott Asmar and their children Alexander and Alexa Jane. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Home Service being held at 7:00 p.m. at Yost & Webb Funeral Home, 1002 T St. (T & Tulare), Fresno, Ca. 93721. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at First Armenian Presbyterian Church, 430 S. First St. (southwest corner of First & Huntington), Fresno, Ca. 93702. A Memorial Luncheon will immediately follow the church service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) Bedrosian Shushi Camp, 31 W. Century Rd., Paramus, NJ 07652. Yost & Webb Funeral Home, 1002 T Street, Fresno, California (559)237-4147