Floyd Percival
By John Boehm
Floyd Percival passed away February 13, 2010. He was born in Meeker, Oklahoma on December 22, 1926 and grew up on a farm near Shawnee, Oklahoma. Floyd’s parents grew corn, grain, hogs, and cattle. With all the chores that needed to be done, Floyd certainly was not spoiled. By the time he was ten years old, he was out in the field with a pair of bib overalls and a team of mules. Floyd still had the overalls to the end, though I suspect they were a few sizes larger by then. The Dust Bowl hit Oklahoma hard, so in 1938, Floyd and his father left the farm and moved to Capay, California. He married his first wife, then in the mid 1940’s, his sons, Wayne and Jerry were born. He found work on a pipeline, then at a copper mine in Arizona. But a big, hot hole in the ground and no trees was a bit too much and he soon found his way back to California. He worked at various ranches in the Madison area for the next fifteen years. For a time, he also had a gas station in Esparto. In 1958, Floyd was remarried to Augie and they had five daughters. In 1959, he started work as a mechanic for the City of Woodland. He retired in the mid 1980’s as the foreman of the vehicle maintenance shop.
Floyd never forgot his roots in farming. He was introduced to collecting antique engines and tractors by Cliff Hardy. Floyd joined Branch 13 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association shortly after it was formed in the mid 1970’s. Over the years, he served as Vice President for three years, President for three years, and many more years on the board of directors. More recently, he was instrumental in founding of Branch 158 of the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association. He had been on its board of directors since 2004. He was also a volunteer at the Heidrick Ag History Center.
I first met Floyd when I joined Branch 13 in 1979. Then when we moved to Woodland in 1992, I really got to know him better. I started going in to the morning coffee group at Denny’s once in a while. Floyd was always there and welcomed and encouraged me to come. Today I am still not much of a mechanic, but was really a greenhorn back then. Floyd always had the time to willingly and patiently show me how to do the various jobs involved in bringing an old machine back to life. Floyd really became a mentor to me. More recently, I got a grain binder and a threshing machine for our shows. Once again, Floyd was the man with the needed knowledge to set up and operate them. He took his time to instruct me, but I think he had fun getting the old machines going, too. I know that we will all miss his vast store of knowledge, his tales of how things were done in the past, and his helpful encouragement.
Floyd was a quiet leader who could and did get things done. For many years he ran the antique machinery display at the California State Fair Farm, coordinating the display, supervising all the helpers, and putting on a good show for the spectators. He was not content to keep doing the same old shows over and over again. Not one to sit around, he challenged us often by pushing us to start new events and expand older ones. For instance, six years ago, he told us that he was going to go on a two day 120 mile tractor drive, whether or not we joined him. We thought he was crazy when he first proposed it, but he persisted, and this drive has now evolved into the Branch 158 Colusa Endurance Run. Those of us who have participated now realize how doable it really was and that it was not beyond our capabilities. We have repeated this ride every year since then.
Floyd did start to slow down some in the past few years as health problems started to take more of a toll on his body. But he was active and alert to the end, just the way he would have wanted it. Even though he could no longer drive due to failing eyesight, he was usually eager to ride along when I went to deliver or pick up another old tractor. He enjoyed seeing the countryside and sharing in the discovery of some new old iron. Two weeks before his death, we found another tractor that he was interested in buying. We were making plans to take a look at it, when we found out it already had just been sold, so that was one that got away. He still had projects he planned to complete, ideas for the shows, and words of advice and encouragement.
Floyd was one of my best friends. And one could not have asked for a better friend. He was always helpful. I have never seen him get mad at anyone. Upset, maybe, but not mad. Floyd may not have been rich in monetary terms, but he was rich in the knowledge that he had of people and things. He understood how people thought and knew when they were not being honest with him, but usually did not let on that he did. He had a wealth of knowledge about old time farming methods and tractor and equipment repair. This knowledge he was willing to share and we have all learned much from him over the years. Floyd was a great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a true friend who will be greatly missed.
AL HASE
Longtime member Al Hase passed away May 3, 2009 long time Branch 13 member died today. Al was always friendly to everyone and I never heard him complain about anything. He was a happy person with lots of good stories. He and his wife, Nadine, were also avid RV campers and enjoyed a good life together. He will be
missed by all that knew him. No funeral services are planned at this time. Please pass this mail to others not addressed here.
Ken Green
IN MEMORIUM
We are saddened to report the passing of long time members of Branch 13.
Darrel Pearson, husband of immediate past secretary/treasurer Nancy Pearson, and Irene Goltz, wife of longtime member Elmer Goltz.
CLIFF BACKHAUS
Clifton Leroy Backhaus, 75, of Dunnigan, died in Grass Valley at a tractor meet on Sunday June 3, 2007. Services were held at Mc Nary’s Chapel in Woodland, California on Saturday June 9 at 10:00AM, with burial at Mary’s Cemetery in Yolo, California. A tractor procession in Mr. Backhaus’ memory followed the service from the Chapel to Mary’s Cemetery. A memorial luncheon was held at the Woodland Lion’s Clubhouse on Lincoln Avenue, Woodland. Cliff is survived by his wife of fifty three years, Adella,his daughter Sherry and her husband Mike Carrere, sons Steven and wife Valerie, Gregory , and Spencer and fiancé Carnation and 4 grandchildren
I’m reminded of the old Johnny Cash song with lyrics of “I long for a trip, I need no grip, I’m takin’ one more ride.”
JACK GARRISON
Long time branch 13 member Jack Garrison lost his battle with cancer and passed away peacefully at his home in Granite Bay on July 10, 2006. He is survived by his wife Mary, sons Dave, Ronnie, Jerry, Danny, and daughter Cindy.
After completing his Navy service aboard the U.S.S. Essex, Jack’s occupations included beekeeping and truck driving but he was truly a Jack-of-all-trades. His hobbies included sailing, restoring and showing his vehicles and farm equipment, flying, skiing, and volunteer at the Folsom Railroad Museum. Jack was an active member
of branch 13 and exhibited his tractors and engines at most of our shows.
Jack was born February 23, 1937 in French Camp, CA and married Mary in 1982. They became guardians of his brother's children Jerry, Cindy, and Danny. They hosted international ex- change students and teachers and their home was a haven for their family and many friends. Jack was always willing to help someone from our engine and tractor club, to loan his tools and equipment, and tell a good story. He will be missed by many.
Thomas Garamendi
by Bob Wolin
Tom Garamendi was born October 12, 1943, he was the child of Ray Garamendi and Mary Jane McSorley Garamendi. Tom passed away at his home September 24, 2005. Tom was the oldest of 7 children, and was raised on a ranch in Chili Gulch near Mokelumne Hill, California.
Tom graduated from Mokelumne Hill Elementary School, Calaveras High School and Sacramento State College. Tom also attended Sierra College, UNR and Sacramento City J.C. During his days at Sacramento City College Tom met his wife Evan Anne Emslie. Tom and Evan were married in 1967 and soon after made their home near Mokelumne Hill where they raised two children, Megan and Michael. They now have three grandchildren.
Tom worked in the Health Departments of Amador and Calaveras Counties for many years and then for the State Department of Corrections where he retired in 2004. Tom was involved in many community activities which included being a Director of the Calaveras County Fair, an active member of the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce and the Calaveras Quarterback Club.
For those of you that have visited the Amador County Fair, you may have noticed that Tom was never at his engine most of the day on Sunday, and that was because he donated his time to the youth of Amador County by being a ring man at the Junior Livestock auction every year. He enjoyed volunteering for the same job in his home county at the Calaveras County Frog Jump.
Tom’s interest in old gas engines started in the winter of 1976 when he found a 5 HP Samson at the Rough Diamond mine on the Garamendi family ranch. With help from his younger brother Bob he took the engine to their barn and started tinkering with it. Bob says at the moment when that old Samson started backfiring, bellowing smoke, started up and ran away, Tom knew two things, one he would have to fix the governor on the engine, and two he wanted to find another engine! Bob said Tom’s life changed at that point. Tom was never the same after that; he had found the hobby that gave him nearly 30 years of enjoyment. Tom has been a member of Branch 13 for the past 25 years. Tom was one of the main founders and contributed heavily to the construction and operation of the Pokerville Gold Mining display at the Amador County Fair. His hard work and love for this project will be greatly missed. Tom’s Son, Michael, will be showing his father’s engines in the near future.
Frank DeYoung
by Duane DeYoung
Frank DeYoung passed away October 4, 2004 after a short battle with leukemia at the age of 70 years.
Frank was born in Stockton, California in 1934. He grew up and attended school in Calaveras County. He graduated from Calaveras High School in 1952. He served in the United States Navy in the mid 1950’s. When he returned home, he moved to the Sacramento area and worked in the computer business. Frank married his wife, Janet, 44 years ago. In 1988, they moved back to Calaveras County. Frank retired in 1998.
Frank joined Branch 13 over 30 years ago. He was an active exhibitor at most Gas-Ups. Many will remember him as the chief cook for the stove people. Frank also showed for 29 consecutive years at the Valley Springs Pow-Wow. The Pow-Wow will be dedicated in memory of Frank this year and there will be a special memorial ceremony in his honor.
He leaves behind his wife Janet and his brother, Duane, also a Chugger. Frank was a great brother and my best friend.
Jim Nicholas
By Gale Nored
Jim Nicholas was born May 6th, 1932, in Reedley, California, to Jimmy and Josephine Nicholas. He was the oldest of five children. He was raised on the family ranch, where hard work was a way of life. When he was old enough to drive, he hauled produce to Oakland. He helped with the planting, pruning, harvesting and shipping of grapes, watermelons, and pomegranates. He graduated from Reedley High School and soon after was drafted into the Army, where he became a medic in the Korean War. He enjoyed being a medic, except when it came to delivering babies. He said, “That’s where I draw the line.” After he was discharged from the Army, he returned back home to work on the ranch once again.
Jim always liked pretty things. So, naturally his first love became his 1954 Mercury. It was jet black with lots of chrome. He lowered it and had a continental kit put on it. It was the sharpest car in the county.
It wasn’t too long after this that he really lost his heart. This time it wasn’t to a car, but to the pretty little redhead who sold tickets at the local theater, by the name of Bertie. On April 17th, 1957, Jim and Bertie joined hearts and souls through their vows of holy matrimony to love and honor one another, until death did they part.
Together Jim and Bertie raised a family of two children, Jimmy and Karen. In 1964 Jim moved his family to Carmichael, California. There in Carmichael is where the family continued to grow. In 1985, Karen married Scott Migel. A couple of years later Jim and Bertie were blessed with their first grandchild, Nicholas. Four years later came their second, Loran.
Jim joined the Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association in 1980. He enjoyed showing his collection almost as much as he loved to restore the engines and make them shine. You could always tell Jim’s engines, because they all had either a chrome or copper exhaust pipe. If you ever wondered how he came about what colors to paint the engines, well that he left up to Bertie. Jim even had a Hercules on his trailer that was used to pump water on his father’s ranch. When Jim wasn’t working on engines, he was working around the yard. There are over 160 different types of roses in their yard. In 1998 they even hosted a rose tour at their place.
I feel very fortunate to have known Jim. I first met him when my husband and I went to see his collection and we talked him out of one of his beautiful engines. We became more than just engine buddies, Jim and Bertie became part of our family. Whenever we were able to lend a helping hand to Jim, he would always repay us with a wonderful surprise. One time he made me a flower box for my antique grocery cart. Once I came home to find a wheelbarrow full of flowers in our yard, which he and Bertie had left. He even nursed my sick rose bush back to life. Our children nicknamed Jim “little bird”, for the fluff of hair on the top of his head. His favorite saying was, “Amazing, just amazing,” then he would whistle between his teeth. And let’s not forget that every time we would see him, he would tell us it was his birthday.
While at home, with Bertie by his side, Jim lost his courageous battle with cancer on July 10th, 2001. Services were held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Carmichael. The reception was held at their home in his beautiful rose garden. Jim has left us all with wonderful memories. So, if you happen to run across a beautiful shiny engine with a chrome exhaust pipe at a show, chances are it once belonged to Jim Nicholas.
BILL BAKER
By John Boehm
William "Bill" Baker, a charter member of both Branch 13 and Branch 111, was born on November 26, 1934 in Nevada City, California. He is a fourth generation Californian. All of his school vacations were spent working on his grandparent's farm in French Corral, Nevada County, doing farm chores such as haying, cutting wood, and helping with the cows and chickens. They used. a 3 hp Sattley to run the buzz saw which his Grandpa received in trade for a store bill owed to him. Bill had lived on the family property in French Corral since his retirement and was still using this outfit to cut wood for heating the home. His grandmother was the phone operator in French Corral, which was also the first long distance line in the country. During the war years, 1941 to 1945, Bill worked with his Grandpa in the gold mines. He helped work a hydraulic monitor, run a sluice box, and helped sell the gold.
Bill has been fixing engines of all sorts forever. Besides fixing the buzz saw on the farm, he haunted junkyards for motors of all sorts including motor scooters and motorcycles. Bill smugly stated sometimes they worked, other times they didn't. He went into the Army in 1957. The first year was spent in Nuremberg, Germany in the Army Ordnance testing army tanks. After they had been tested for 30 miles, they were driven to the Russian border. The next three years were spent traveling all over Germany on the I.G. team, the inspection branch of the Army, testing vehicles of all sorts. When Bill got out of the Army in 1960, he went to work for Continental Motors, repairing sports cars-Alfa Romeos, Fiats, and Lancias. He joined Montgomery Wards service department in 1965 and retired from there in 1990.
Bill has been married to Nani since 1982. He has two children from a previous marriage and two stepchildren. He had a variety of collections. He collected antique model airplane engines, had about 20 vintage outboard motors, 25 vintage inboard motors, several gas engines, various steam powered toys, a large collection of spark plugs, two antique motorcycles, and, most recently, several garden tractors.
Bill passed away on June 8, 2001 after a brief battle with prostate cancer. Brief services were held in French Corral on June 16, 2001. In honor of Bill, his Mighty Mite garden tractor was featured on this year’s Grass Valley show button. We just wish that Bill could still have been present with us at the show.
On a personal note, I first met Bill around 1977, back when he still lived in Carmichael. I had just started to get a few engines and hadn’t even heard of Branch 13 yet. I needed some help repairing the governor on one engine and had no idea how to go about the simple job of brazing some parts together and making them work right. Bill told me to bring the parts over, fixed them for me, and showed me how it was done. He didn’t make a big deal out it, didn’t want anything in return, just was happy to help. I’m sure many of you have had similar experiences with Bill over the years. Beneath the gruff appearing exterior was a kind, gentle man and I’m proud to be counted among his friends.
ERNIE GODDARD
By Ken Green
Ernest Henry Goddard passed away December 21, 2000 at the age of 79. Ernie was a Charter Member of Branch 13 and served as Branch President in 1982. He served on the Branch Board of Directors for several years. Over the years he had more than 50 engines and was considered an expert in the history and characteristics of old engines. He was widely known for his expertise in machining model engines and built about 54 of them. The skills he had with his hands are displayed at nearly every show in the west. He attended shows all over the country, but particularly enjoyed showing his model engines at the State Fair for many years. He was an expert magneto repairman and, combined with his machinist skills, could fix just about any of them.
After his retirement, Ernie enjoyed working in his shop, building and repairing engines, and manufacturing parts for both himself and other enthusiasts around the country. Always a gentleman, he could be relied upon to provide sound advice, share his extensive knowledge, and provide help to everyone needing assistance.
Born Oct 17, 1921, he was proud to be a native Californian, and grew up in what was then a rural area of Sacramento. He attended Arcade Elementary school, San Juan High School, and graduated from Grant High School in 1939. After graduation, Ernie moved to San Diego to work as an aircraft electrician helper at North Island Naval Air Station. After a few years he enlisted in the Navy. He served as an aircraft electrician, assigned to the Naval Air Transport Command in Hawaii, until his discharge on December 7, 1945. He returned to San Diego and worked at North Island for another year.
Ernie then returned to Sacramento where he became a chicken rancher! After two years he couldn't stand to look at another chicken and returned to his first love, his job as an aircraft electrician. He went to work at McClellan Air Force Base in 1948 and remained there until his retirement in 1974.
Ernie was a Life Member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and donated 10 gallons of blood to the Sacramento Blood Bank. He is survived by his wife Oleta, 4 daughters, 7 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren.
BILL NEATHERLIN
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
BILL NEATHERLIN
Who passed away four years ago on April 18, 1995
You bid no one a last farewell or never said good-bye.
if love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
A million times we needed you, a thousand times we cried.
And a day we do not think of you is very hard to find.
They say time heals all sorrow and helps us to forget.
But time so far has only proven, how much we miss you yet.
God gives us strength to bear it and courage to take the blow;
But what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know.
In life we love you dearly, in death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place no one else could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.
"We Love You"
Sadly missed by his wife: Dollie
Daughters: Karen Neatherlin and Kathy Seed
Grandsons: Joshua, Ben, & Matt Lichty and Troy Neatherlin
Great Grandchildren, Dustin and RaeLynn Neatherlin
And all his many friends at Branch 13
BUD HENRY TAUNTON
Born
November 24, 1911
Oneonto, Alabama
Entered Into Rest
August 11, 1998
Galt, California
by Norman Taunton
He was born in 1911 in Alabama, the second child of a family of five children. His parents were sharecroppers until they were able to own their own farm. They started training their children to plow at a young age. Each one had a mule and a plow. Bud was seven years old when he was put behind his mule.
When the Depression hit, his parents knew they had to make some changes. They sold their possessions and piled the kids into a Model T truck and headed west. His parents had relatives living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They made it that far and they helped them find a farm to work on shares. They just broke even and did not try another year, moving back to Deming New Mexico.
Bud left home when he was nineteen, taking a job on a 50,000 acre cattle ranch. He tired of that and went to work on a dairy. The pay wasn’t much, but it was regular and he had a place to stay and an old Buick stripped down homemade truck to go to town on Saturdays.
Bud’s father traded an old cook stove for a calf and had Bud deliver the stove seven miles out of town and pick up the calf. This is where he met June. When deer season came, he got permission to go hunting over the weekend. When he returned to the dairy, he had a young two legged deer and a very angry new father-in-law. It was quite a while before things got patched up.
Soon after, the big rancher contacted Bud and he went back to work for him. This is where he got his first real experience with old gas engines and windmills. He traveled from ranch to ranch servicing and repairing them. Bud worked for the rancher on and off for six years. In the meantime, they bought a small adobe house on ten acres for the taxes and had three healthy kids. He started a small trucking business hauling for farmers in the area.
In 1943, Bud and June and their family moved to California. Bud did all sorts of different things, mostly trading and selling. You name it, he did it. Finally when Norman and his brother Bob were old enough to help he got into the lumber business and stayed with it for the next thirty years. His daughter Betty stayed home to help June.
Over the years, he still couldn’t get the gas engines or windmills out of his system. He would pick one up now and then and tinker with them. Bud joined Branch 13 along with his son Norman shortly after it was formed in the early 70’s. That was one of the best things he ever did. The first engine show he went to was at Mike Gianni’s in Manteca. He enjoyed meeting with and talking to his friends in the club.
Bud and Norman bought their first big engine from the Adams Ranch on Liberty Road in Galt in 1965. It is a 25 hp hot head Fairbanks-Morse Diesel. From then on, they were addicted and there seemed to be no cure.
In 1978, the Taunton family hosted the first of the Fall Gas-Ups at their ranch in Galt. The shows are still going strong after twenty years. Bud did not make it in person this year for the 21st Taunton Fall Gas-Up, but his spirit was there as he watched from up above.
Thanks to all members for being important Chugger friends with Bud.
The Taunton Family
Elmer Goltz
1919 - 1999
Branch 13
By John Paur
Elmer Goltz passed away at his home in the early morning hours of Aug.19. He was 80 years old. Elmer was born on July 11, 1919 on a pear farm in rural Placerville. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1936. Upon graduating, he went to work for the local Chrysler/Plymouth dealer as a mechanic (what else?). At the onset of WW2, Elmer enlisted in the navy where he worked as a machinist. He spent time in the Aleutian Islands and Okinawa. After the war he returned to his job at the Chrysler dealership. In 1951, Elmer decided to strive out on his own and opened an auto repair shop which he called "Elmer's Tune". He retired in 1977.
Elmer had a gift for being able to repair just about anything. His grandson referred to him as "an artist with a wrench. There was no part too small or intricate that he couldn't create, re-shape or duplicate." He could figure out the answer to engine problems that had all the rest of us stumped. He was, without a doubt, one of the best 'fix-it' men around. Elmer's exhibit was always that familiar gray trailer with red trim that had a headless Fairbanks running a wetstone where we all sharpened our knives. There was also a Flying Dutchman (or was it a Rock Island?) and an assortment of electric generators.
Elmer joined Branch 13 in 1975. He and Irene were faithful attendees at nearly all of our shows over the years. For several years Elmer was our bean cooker and a super bean cook he was! He also provided us with a propane torch to lite the charcoal or manzanita for the BBQ. On two different occasions Elmer served on the Board of Directors of Br. 13.
Elmer and Irene enjoyed traveling together in their motor home. They also had an extensive garden from which they furnished vegetables to many friends. They loved to go clamming at Bodega Bay and fishing. Elmer is survived by his wife Irene, five sons, ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
![[Elmer Goltz]](image346.jpg)
