David "Dave" Betts

March 7, 1939 - Silome Springs, Arkansas

Born to Mary Louise Betts Burns and Estel Leo Betts, David was one of 10 kids, five boys and five girls. David started school in Hardwick after coming here from Arkansas at five years old. He graduated from Hardwick Grammar in 1953 and the old Laton High School in 1957.

As a young kid, he ran around with the Hanse boys, Pete, David and Don. He picked peaches and stayed at their house a lot and went camping and hunting. He got a yard job from Mrs. Ormonde and she got him a Cushman scooter. He loved it! Once he got older, he milked cows while in high school for Frank Perry. David was always late to school because he had to milk, but Principal Kercher didn’t say anything. After graduating from Laton High, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp. He received an Honorable Discharge after proudly serving our country. By then, Dave had already met Vera Hall, his wife of 56 years. They married in 1958 and had three sons; David, Paul and Gary. David had many jobs in his life from irrigating to working on cotton pickers, drilling water wells to auto parts, car sales, Fresno Deputy Constable under Al Nester, city police officer for Mendota, then city police in Payette, Idaho. He owned the Texaco gas station in Laton and others, auto parts stores, Napa and CarQuest, a car lot and garage. Dave loved selling cars and the auto parts. He had hay trucks and manure trucks, and farmed walnuts. He tried it all, and liked always being busy.

He retired from all of that and started traveling in his and Vera’s motor home. He traveled back to where he was born and really loved that trip. Dave loved driving his tractor and forklifts and some days you could see him and his dog, Lucky, going down the road on one.

Dave passed away with his family at this side on Sunday, February 15, 2015 in Hanford at the age of 75. He leaves behind his wife, Vera, one son, Gary and his wife LeAnn of Arroyo Grande. His sons Paul passed in 2003 and David passed in 2006. He has four grandchildren, grandsons; Blaine Betts and Spencer Betts and granddaughters; Tessa Prince and Taylor Vanderpool. Along with his granddaughters husbands, Jethro Prince and Shane Vanderpool. One great-grandchild, Sawyer Paul Vanderpool, two surviving sisters; Patricia Areias of Fresno, Mary “Stella” Hofmann of Oklahoma, one surviving brother; Robert Betts and nephew Robert Betts, Jr. Three deceased brothers; Leo Betts, Paul Betts and Harry Betts.

In his younger days, he enjoyed roller skating in Hardwick and he loved playing cards, going to auctions, flea markets and going to the coast and eating fish and chips and being with his family and friends. Along with playing dominoes with everyone, and especially his family which was a favorite pastime throughout his entire life, he was a charter member of Laton Lions Club and a volunteer Laton Fireman and an Elk’s member. He loved bowling while his health permitted. He had a fascination with cutting wood and Stihl chain saws. He loved to go for rides in the rain and Superior Dairy. He will be missed dearly.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Oak Grove Cemetery; 19811 S. Cedar Avenue, Laton, CA 93242 with a luncheon following at Laton Lions Club Hall; 6345 Nares Avenue, Laton, CA 93242.

Family and Friends are invited to view Dave’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.

Services are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel.

PEOPLE’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

501 N. Douty Street

Hanford, CA 93230

559-584-5591

www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com