Gary Noonan

NOONAN, Gary Eugene - July 19, 1936 - December 29, 2020. Passed away peacefully at home with his daughters Melissa Jarvis and Bridgette Glade. Gary was born at the Eliza Tanner Hospital on 5th Street, Santa Rosa, Ca at 8:15 pm, weighing 7 lbs and 4 ounces. He and his brother, William Noonan were born to Andrew Bernard "Grog'" Noonan and Thyra Rose Morrill. The Noonan family were prominent Irish Catholic pioneers of Santa Rosa who came to Sonoma County in the mid 1800's. His paternal grandfather's side owned Noonan's Meat Company. His maternal grandparents were William Morrill and Ella Grace Stone Kimball. His paternal grandparents were William C Noonan and Bridget A Markham. 

Gary spent many of his young summers at Grandma Noonan's Ranch in Geyserville, CA hunting with his parents and Cocker Spaniel "Mikie." Unfortunately, "Grog" died when Gary was eleven and so his time was split between his home on Spencer Ave and his Grandma Kimball's Ranch.

Here he fostered a love for agriculture and joined the Bennett Valley 4-H club. Gary's first Columbia ram was "Big Boy" in 1949. Gary later went to Santa Rosa High School where he was involved in FFA and as Frank Renda recalls was a “ big shot." Gary was a part of the championship livestock judging team with Wes Jamison that included Cliff Bath and Alan Garialde. Gary went on to obtain many awards showing and breeding Columbia Sheep throughout California. Gary played football, basketball and participated in agricultural endevours with his many lifelong friends in Santa Rosa such as Frank Renda, Tom Crane, Dick Codding, Dick Underhill, Phil Spalding, Ken Niles, Cliff Bath, Ed Pisenti, Jerry Hall, Don Howard, Ed Canevari, Jack Thiederman, the Lampe brothers and many others that double dated with Gary in his mothers baby blue Cadillac that was famous throughout Santa Rosa. 

After high school Gary attended Oklahoma State University where he received his bachelor of science in animal husbandry and restaurant management. Gary managed many restaurant chains and found his love Betty Merriman in 1966 in Kansas City, Mo.They moved back to California and raised  two beautiful daughters. Gary enjoyed participating in local dog trials with his Border Collies. He led the local 4-H club sheep, swine, rabbit and livestock judging projects. He was a regular fixture at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds. He was a very kind and loving father which shared his love for animals with his daughters. Gary was always supportive of his daughter's many interests, even when they brought home every stray cat in the neighborhood.

Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 and it metastasized in 2018 to the bone. Gary has resided with his daughters in Prescott, Arizona and has shared his hilarious sense of humor and love with his many grandchildren and  great-grandchildren. 

Gary is survived by his daughter Melissa Jarvis and grandson Jacob Jarvis of Prescott, AZ. His daughter Bridgette Glade, son- in- law Christopher Glade, and grandchildren Kelsey and Tim Edwards of Austin, Texas; Eric and Jess Turbiville of McKinney, TX;  Chase and Alecia Turbiville of Austin, TX and Jonas and Johanna Glade of Prescott, AZ. Bill Noonan’s children Andrew, Maridee, Carrie DeVoto and Patrick Noonan. He also leaves behind his amazing great grandchildren Maverick Duke, Sawyer Brock and Mia Grace Edwards, Wylie Rowan and Chandler Sage Turbiville. Gary is also survived by his ex-wife Betty Goodale; his best friend Carol Lorenzo and daughter "number three" Jackie Cooper. Gary will be cremated and placed in the Noonan Family plot at Calvary Cemetery in Santa Rosa, California on March 20, 2021.

A Celebration of Life will take place outdoors at that time due to COVID.