Carroll Dean Rupe

Fresno, California - Carroll Dean "CD" "Buddy" Rupe was born on April 5, 1930 to Jonathan and Lillie Rupe in Deming, New Mexico. He grew up in Carlsbad with his eight brothers and sisters. In 1948 Buddy joined the service. He spent four years in the Army, spending much of his time in Panama overseeing the security of the Panama Canal. He was Honorably Discharged in 1952.

After his time in the service Buddy moved to Bakersfield where he met his wife to be, Joyce Sullivan. They were married August 22, 1954. Shortly thereafter they settled in the small community of San Joaquin and Buddy began to farm alongside his father-in-law, Ernest, and his brothers-in-law. For a time, the family raised cattle. Buddy would ride his horse in the pasture and tend the herd. He and Joyce also started a family. They had three daughters: Teresa, Tammy and Tanya.

In 1971 Buddy and Joyce partnered with their family to form R&S Farms in Cantua Creek. He worked long, hard hours in the fields and on the equipment. Buddy's hard work, lively personality and colorful vocabulary endeared him to his partners, employees, and fellow farmers. He was well known and loved in the small, rural, agricultural communities where he worked. The family business he was so integral in establishing continues to be prosperous and successful and is still family owned and operated.

Buddy will be missed for his vibrant personality. He loved his family, his work, his friends, his caretakers and his dogs. He loved eating out and catching up with old friends, often making friends with the wait staff where he dined. He enjoyed playing video poker, watching old Westerns, The Price Is Right, and Jeopardy. He loved visiting with his large family and hanging out with his dogs, Harley and Boo Bear and cheering and cursing his beloved Dodgers.

Buddy is preceded in death by his parents Jonathan and Lillie; his wife, Joyce;

his brothers Cecil, Virgil, Robert, Hubert and Jonathan; his sisters Gracie, Fern and twin sister Faye; and his granddaughter, Nanette. He is survived by his daughters, Teresa Buchanan of Kerman, Tammy Hoffman of Fresno and Tanya Weston and her husband Jan of Fresno; his grandchildren Christina Lasater and her husband Robert of Tranquillity, Sherri Buchanan of Kerman, Joey Silva and his wife Rachel of Fresno, his grandson-in-law Michael Rowland of Kerman, Molly Coleman of San Diego, Kadi Coleman of Phoenix, Arizona, and his grandson-in-laws Christopher Cox of Reedley and Ramon Garza of Fresno. Buddy also had nine great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the people who cared for Buddy over the years and during the pandemic. The staff of Oakmont, who gave Buddy a real home and family and to all the wonderful friends he made while staying in your facility, thank you for your love and care. Thank you to the staff and caretakers of Bristol Hospice and Care Max, especially Chea, Theresa, Esmeralda and Alicia. During a time of isolation you made sure Buddy wasn't alone. You provided him with companionship and friendship. Thank you for your kindness and devotion. To countless others we may never know of because of the restrictions, thank you for spending time with Buddy and caring for him. Please know that he loved and cared for you too.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Buddy's honor to Tranquillity Methodist Church or Bristol Hospice at 6780 N. West Ave. Unit 101, Fresno, California 93711 or to a favorite charity.