Jack Strobel
93, El Centro
Jack Strobel passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 a t his home in El Centro with his family by his side. He was born on September 13, 1926 in Turlock, California to J ohn and Edyth Strobel. H e and his two sisters, Elaine and Janet were r aised at the Strobel Family Ranch in Calexico during the depression era.
His early y ears were spent farming with his father. After graduating from high school, Jack fulfilled duty to his country by enlisting in the Navy. After honorable discharge he attended Imperial Valley College, then San Diego State and finally UC Davis in an effort to e xpand his farming knowledge. H e quit when he realized he knew more about farming than what he was being taught. H e returned to the Valley and used his GI Bill to b uy f arm land. In the 1960’s, with the help of friends, he developed 320 acres of raw desert into farmland as one of the last desert entries to be approved in the Valley by the Department of Interior.
Jack was an avid “barefoot” water skier. On one of his ski trips he met Thelma “Pat” Swanson who showed up with her speedboat “Buttercup’. T hey married in 1963.
In early 1970’s he began working with Cliff Hurley as a real estate agent and in the late 70’s J ack became a real estate broker and opened his own office “Jack Strobel Ranch Realty”on West Main Street in El Centro.
Jack had very diverse interest. His friends would agree that in his lifetime he lived more than t he life of one person. He lived several lives. In the 1960’s he decided to buy a restaurant called “Panchos” and sold it for $1.00 a fter he realized he knew nothing about the restaurant business. H e was a partner in a catfish farm, and then an algae farm. H e was a managing partner in a s uccessful limited partnership (“Aten Ranch Development”) that resulted in the creation of two large residential sites one in Imperial and another in El Centro. He represented Union Oil in the 1970’s a nd secured land for geothermal leases. In the 1980’s he helped start a computer microchip testing company. He also secured many acres of Imperial Valley land for Western Farms. When solar companies began considering the Valley for installations, many worked with him to secure land. And just for fun he created a shooting range. He was very proud of being the longest standing member of the Imperial Valley BSI I nvestment Club.
For over 20 y ears he supported the California Midwinter fair Junior Livestock auction and 4- H swine program. H e was so p roud of these youth that he saved every letter, photograph and thank you note he ever received.
He was knowledgeable, honest and trustworthy. He w as sought out for these traits and never had to a dvertise his business. He took great pride in the Imperial Valley. He loved it! He was regularly c onsulted by farmers and investors regarding information about the history of farming in the Valley.
Jack will be missed because of the friendships he made and his willingness to go out of his way to extend a helping hand. So many in the Valley can share a time when he helped them out of a very dire situation. His door was always open and he took great pleasure in knowing that he had a part in helping someone succeed. And, Jack will be remembered for his cordiality, w arm s mile and “happy to see you” attitude.
He w as preceded in death by his parents and Pat his wife of 5 6 years who passed away in August 2019.
He leaves behind a family that so deeply loved, cherished and respected him including his sisters, Elaine Linhoff and Janet Strobel; his son, R ichard; daughter- in- law, Polly; g randchildren, Ashley and Alex; his daughter, Bernadette S trobel; numerous nieces and nephews; his dog, Charlie and his goat, Rocky.
A celebration of life will be held in a few months a fter the shelter- in- place orders have been lifted and family members can safely t ravel.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Jack Strobel Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made payable to I mperial County Farm B ureau with J ack Strobel Scholarship Fund in the memo and mailed to 1000 Broadway, E l Centro, C A 92243.”
Capitol H ill High School in Oklahoma City, OK, furthering her education at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK graduating as a Registered Nurse. Nancy was a proud “Boomer Sooner”.
On June 16, 1956 Nancy married Robert Scott Stone M.D. of Phoenix, AZ while in Norman, OK. Nancy and Robert w ent on to h ave 3 Children Robert Scott Stone J r., John Samuel “Stewart” Stone and Sheila Jane Stone. After Robert finished his time in the military, he relocated his family to Brawley, CA after accepting a position in the department of Radiology at the local hospitals. Nancy took great pride in being a nurse. She spent many y ears at El Centro Regional Medical Center and when she became a grandparent she became the school nurse with t he B rawley Unified School District. She supported all of her children’s endeavors as a Cub Scout Den Mother, president of the PTA and a dedicated supporter o f equestrianism all the while being her children’s biggest fan.
Nancy made lifelong friends with her fellow Oklahoman Bertha Louise Miller and her husband Bill Miller. W hether it was gaining her pilots license, raising cattle or taking her kids and their friends on fun filled trips she always m ade sure to make lasting memories that she would later share with her grandchildren.
Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Robert Scott Stone and her son Robert Scott Stone Jr.
She leaves behind her second born son Stewart Stone (Dawn); her only daughter Sheila Stone- Evans; granddaughter Chloe Jane Evans- Castillo ( Jorge); grandsons Joshua Stone Evans, Lucas Stone (Kristin); great- grandson Robert “Bobby” Stone Castillo and great granddaughter Leila Jane Castillo. Nancy was cared for by many including her granddaughter emeritus Mari Lynn Pemberton and her loyal caregivers Nadia, Lizette, Rosa a nd Maria. Nancy left this world surrounded by the love o f her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Nancy A. S tone R.N. & Robert S. Stone M.D. 40/20 Scholarship for those who are dedicated to becoming a Registered Nurse at Imperial Valley College. It will be awarded every August.