RONALD RAY LEHR SR.
September 28, 1940 - February 2, 2023
Ron left us sadly and very unexpectedly. All who knew him have the comfort knowing that he is rejoicing in his reunion with his loving parents, Leo and Leta, and younger sister Janice. His story begins sometime before his birth in 1940. His Father Leo and Uncle Emil came to California during the depression from their home in South Dakota. Through the generosity of their cousins, the Mettler family, they landed in Shafter and subsequently gained employment in Edison, working in one of the many potato sheds. They were soon able to purchase a shed of their own and Lehr Brothers Farms was established in 1938.
In 1940, Leo and Leta, also a product of the Dust Bowl, welcomed their first born, Ronald. Ron enjoyed growing up in a farming family in the smalltown atmosphere of Bakersfield. He attended East Bakersfield High School and was a standout athlete on the football team. After high school he attended Bakersfield College and continued his success in football as a part of the Championship Football team and participating in the Potato Bowl 1958 & Jr. Rose Bowl 1959. In 1960 he and his high school sweetheart Joanie Vorhees were married and soon welcomed a daughter, Leslie Shae' and later a son Ronald Ray Jr. He spent the 60's establishing his young family, all the while working alongside his Dad, Uncle and cousin, learning the art of what would be his lifelong profession, Farming. A true Farmer in every sense, he excelled in the potato business and later added citrus to his resume'. In 1978 he bought the business from family partners and established Lehr Brothers Inc., a company that still bears his name today. In recent years he turned the day-to-day operations to his children but never relinquished his love and dedication to business and industry. His professional career was much more in depth than just his expertise in the growing and marketing of quality Edison potatoes. He was an avid supporter and participant in the National Potato Board & Counsel and Western Growers Association. One of his proudest accomplishments was his 33-year tenure as a board member of the Arvin Edison Water Storage District, where he made many enhancements to the Farming community. As a man of faith, he was a lifelong member and attendee of the Grace Reformed Church. He embraced his staunch conservative values and was a strong supporter of republican politics local and national.
While in recent years he spent many hours maintaining a beautiful yard, stopping by the office every morning to check the mail, his investments, and then he was off to lunch. Ron enjoyed sharing friendship and comradery with his best buds, LB Thomas and the Buttonwillow boys, just to name a few. The finer East Bakersfield lunch spots may never be the same without him.
Ron was preceded in passing by his parents, Leo and Leta, sister Janice Pursel. He is survived by wife Micki, daughter Leslie Shae' (Stephanie), son Ronald Ray Jr. (Dallas), stepdaughter Brenda McMurtrey (David), grandsons Austin, Tanner, Hunter, Jake and granddaughter Alyssa.
A Celebration of Life and final Internment will be held March 2, 2023, Hillcrest Memorial Park at 9 AM. A viewing will be held March 1, 2023 from 5-8 PM.