Earl E. Mar

Earl was born on November 14th, 1925 in Fresno to Ming Mah and Kung Shee. He was one of six brothers; Paul, Andy, Edward, Phil and Bob along with two sisters; Mary and Ada. Earl spent his life in Fresno and attended Franklin Elementary, Edison High School and Fresno State College where he received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1950. In 1958, he married Barbara and had two children, Pat Hobbs and Gary Mar.

Earl worked at the Division of Highways (now known as CalTrans) for 37 years. During his time as a civil engineer, Earl designed many freeways and bridges including Freeway 41 and earned an award for the design of a section of State Route 190 in Tulare County.

In 1988, Earl retired and picked up a series of hobbies including woodworking, gardening, ballroom dancing and playing bridge with friends. Earl became a Master Gardener and was recently named Honorary Master Gardener by the University of California Cooperative Extension. This meant more to him than words can describe as he'd been inactive due to his devotion to his wife of 52 years who had suffered a severe stroke. He had also been an active volunteer at the Blood Bank and was a blood donor who donated more than 10 gallons of blood!

Earl Mar was a generous, intelligent, driven and spirited man and will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his two children Pat and Gary, his granddaughters, Ali, Kaitlin and Elise, brothers Al and Bob and his sister Mary.

A chapel service will be held at St. Anthony's Chapel in St. Peter's Cemetery on Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 11.00 a.m.