Mahon, Sr., Richard "Dick" Obituary

Mahon, Sr., Richard "Dick" attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Mahon, Sr., Richard "dick".

Graduation Year	Class of 1945
Date of Passing	May 12, 2009
About	Mr. Mahon died at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho at the age of 83 and was a member of an Elk Grove Pioneering family. He was born January 12, 1926 on the historic Mahon Ranch in Elk Grove, California to John William and Bertha Mae (Nelmes) Mahon. After graduating from Elk Grove High School he earned an athletic scholarship to Stanford University. Upon leaving the home ranch, he diverted from ranching to row crop farming. He raised tomatoes, sugar beets, corn, grain, beans, and hay and in 1953 was nominated for Young Farmer of the Year. In 1960 Mr. Mahon became manager of Boccardo Cattle Co. in Marysville and Alder Creek Cattle Co. in Denio, Nevada. In 1972 he took over the Dixon Livestock Yard in Dixon, California, and five years later became a self-employed cattle broker, marketing cattle for some of the largest ranches in six western states. In 1980 he left California to manage the ZX Ranch in Paisley, Oregon. While there, he was instrumental in coordinating BLM, Forest Service and private lease of properties totaling more than 1 million acres of grazing land and management of more than 20,000 head of cattle. He retired in 1986 in Lake County where he resided until 2006 when he moved to Grand View, Idaho to be near his daughter Shawna. Mr. Mahon was on the University of California's Dean's committee for improvement of large animal veterinary students. He was also a member of the Lakeview BLM Advisory Board, Fremont National Forest Advisory Board, and director of the Silver Lake Irrigation District, all in Oregon. Under his guidance, one of the largest allotment management plans through the BLM was signed and implemented. His family said the livestock industry was his life's passion and remained that way until his death. "In lieu of flowers, support the beef industry and enjoy a good steak on Dick," was his comment. Mr. Mahon was preceded in death by his daughter Marilyn Gastelum; brothers William "Bill", Lester, and Donal "Top"; and sister Muriel. He is survived by his children, Richard Mahon Jr. and wife Fran of Yuba City, Sharon Fiscus and husband Randy of Lincoln, Rita Haughin and husband Greg of Citrus Heights, Erin Chimarusti and husband Ken of Rocklin and Shawna Mahon of Grand View; several grand children, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. A memorial was held on May 31, 2009 at the historic Mahon Ranch at 10171 Grant Line Road, Elk Grove, California. - Information from the Sacramento Bee and Elk Grove Citizen.