Rockin’ and Rollin’ in Graeagle!
HARVEY EDWARD WEST, JR. 1922 – 2011
GRAEAGLE’S great visionary is gone but will NEVER be forgotten. He will remain in the hearts of this community forever!
Harvey Edward West, Jr. passed from this life at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, NV on April 26, 2011.
Harvey was born on October 18, 1922 in Santa Clara, California. He was the oldest of three boys (David and Robert, brothers) born to Harvey West, Sr. and Leila. Harvey had a typical boyhood life growing up on the Santa Cruz coast (Soquel), fishing, playing baseball and enjoying the fun at the beach Boardwalk and the “Plunge” pool whenever possible.
The family later moved to Camino, (Placerville) CA where they operated several lumber mills: Smith Flat, Fresh Pond, Sly Park and Tahoe Valley. At this time, Harvey attended El Dorado High School in Placerville and graduated in 1940. He enrolled in Sacramento City College when he joined the V-12 program for Officer’s training and then attended College of the Pacific (now UOP) in 1943. He was one of four students that were sent to Harvard Business School for the Naval Supply Corp school program. In February 1945 he was assigned his first ship, the U.S.S. Auriga and remained in the Navy for several years.
After the war it was a busy life for a timber man, working for the family business, Placerville Lumber Company with his father, Harvey West, Sr. and brother Robert. Harvey was often seen cruising timber, driving logging trucks, managing the mills, and negotiating timber and lumber sales. It was in August 1950 that Harvey married his sweetheart, Shirley Devine.
In 1957 Harvey, along with his brother Robert, came to Graeagle to investigate the holdings and timber of the former Box Factory, owned at that time by the California Fruit Exchange. The West family purchased Graeagle from the California Fruit Exchange — and the real work began. He moved his family to Graeagle and along with his wife Shirley and their (then) two children, Deborah and Dan settled into one of the large red houses on the hill. It was 1958 and Graeagle was a virtual ghost town. There was no running water, no electricity and only a handful a people remained as residents. More than fifty years later – the community of Graeagle is the result of his vision, his commitment and much hard work.
Harvey enjoyed several passions; special to him were golf, baseball and fishing. He made many trips with friends to his favorite fishing spot at Butte’s Bar on the middle fork of the Feather River. Baseball was a serious sport in his youth – Harvey played first baseman (“stretch”) for his father’s AA baseball teams, the Pacerville Bartletts and the Outlaws. He had the ball diamond rebuilt in Graeagle so that everyone could enjoy baseball, softball, and soccer as they still do today.
Golf was one of Harvey’s early and serious passions. As a young boy he caddied at the local golf courses near Santa Cruz and grew up with a genuine love and respect for the game. It was in 1964 that he pursued his dream and began work on the 18-hole championship golf course, Graeagle Meadows. Many will recall watching his ease of swing and giant smile whenever he was on the course.
Harvey was a civic-minded man and his leadership went far beyond just the local community. Early on he was a member of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Posse. After they moved to Plumas County and during the development of Graeagle, Harvey served 19 years on the Plumas County Planning Commission, and founded the Graeagle Volunteer Fire Department where he remained active in the department for more than 35 years. He was a Portola Rotary Club member and past President, and a proud member of the Free Masons for more than 50 years, attending the Hope Lodge in Beckwourth. Continuing his passion of sports, Harvey coached Little League Baseball, supported and donated to the Johnsville Ski Hill, and promoted and encouraged Jr. Golf for the local schools. He was proud to serve in the Navy during World War II, and remained in the Reserves for many years thereafter.
Harvey West, Jr. is survived by his loving wife Shirley of 61 years, their daughter Deborah West and her children Morghan and Michael; son Daniel and daughter-in-law Leah West, and their children Lindsay, Mallory and Harvey West, III (Trey); daughter Deidre (Dede) and son-in-law Trace Robbers, and their children Hailey and Lauren; and son Darren West, as well as one great grandchild, Tallon Vanetti.
Harvey West, Jr. is an icon in the Graeagle community. He will be remembered for his long gait, quick wit, and his unyielding sense of integrity and honesty. As a true pioneer of Plumas County, he often told his family and friends that none of this would be possible without the love and support of his wife, Shirley, and their children.
“He was a man whose rich values, compassion for all and incurable optimism were infused, every day, into this very special community known as Graeagle over the past 50 years. The West family, their children and grandchildren are the legacy that will carry this community into a bright, well planned future.”
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Harvey E. West, Jr., contributions can be made to the Graeagle Volunteer Fire Department and would be greatly appreciated. (P.O. Box 64, Graeagle, CA 96103)
HUNGER KNOWS NO BOUNDARY…
In these difficult and uncertain times, we all try to do our part to keep a positive attitude and extend a hand when we are able. As a business owner, I am aware of the hardships and struggles in our community on an almost daily basis. That’s why I support the efforts of E.P.C.A.N. (Eastern Plumas Community Assistance Network). E.P.C.A.N. has been a tremendous and crucial part of this community by providing food assistance, through good times and bad, to many deserving families – of all sizes, ages and social/economic classes. Hunger does not always strike during the Holidays…. it is a year round problem. After all…hunger knows no boundary.
We, at GRAEAGLE ASSOCIATES, Realtors® decided in 2010 to make a commitment to this important cause by pledging to donate $100 to E.P.C.A.N. upon the close of each escrow transaction! We would like to encourage you to help, in your own community in any (big) or small way you can!
After all…hunger knows no boundary.
http://plumastech.com/pccdc/listing.php?id=17
12/30/10
By: Leah West
GRAEAGLE “Trail Days” Biggest Ever!
GRAEAGLE, California was the site of the biggest trail building event in California on National Trails Day! Last Saturday (June 5th) – over 206 volunteers showed up to celebrate, grab rakes and shovels and lend a helping hand (and strong back!)! In addition to the tremendous number of local volunteers who participated, folks came from as far away as Seattle and Southern California. Volunteers ranged in age from 5 years old to 87 years old, showing us all, that building trail is for EVERYONE!
Six separate projects were tackled during the event. In the Plumas National Forest volunteers worked on Lake Davis Trail, Gray Eagle Creek Trail and Mills Peak Trail. In addition, much work was done on Graeagle Land and Water property, initiating the new Graeagle Community Pathway, beginning from downtown Graeagle which paralells Highway 89 to the Gold Lake Highway. Clean up along the Middle Fork of the Feather River was included in the days work as well.
The Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship hosted the event in the Graeagle Park – and WOW! Great Hosts! The day included many festivities… including BBQ (boxed lunches, pulled-pork sandwiches, salads and more!) AND great entertainment provided by the Rusty Evans Band. Smokey the Bear was there — and a Bouncy Castle for the little people!
Greg Williams, master-mind, Graeagle Bike Shop owner and world-renowned bike rider-enthusiast says: “Many thanks to all of the event sponsors, partners and volunteers”!
This event marks the start of the trail building season. Volunteers for the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship are needed! People of any age or ability are welcome to join us Mondays through Saturdays until the snow falls again. For more information, please visit www.sierratrails.org. or call Greg at 530/836-1708
By: Leah West
GOLD MOUNTAIN HAS “TURNED THE CORNER”…
The Nakoma Golf Resort at Gold Mountain has emerged from nearly five years in bankruptcy. The Federal Judge ruled in favor of accepting an offer from the Schomac Group, Inc., purchasing all of the resort assets. A sigh of relief could be heard in the courtroom, as the transfer of ownership could be finalized quickly with no further conditions to the sale.
Outstanding taxes of nearly $900,000 and deteriorating conditions of the golf course and clubhouse led to a packaged price tag of nearly $4 million, including unimproved lots, some commercial sites as well as a 9-hole course and hotel site.
The Schomac Group, Inc., developers out of Tucson, Az. are also the current owners of the local Feather River Inn on Highway 70 just outside of Graeagle. Michael Schoff, principal sees the two properties as “sister resorts, providing a superb mix of lodging, convention facilities and recreational amenities” and hopes to see both golf courses – the 9- hole course at Feather River Inn and the 18-hole course at Gold Mountain open this Summer. Schomac plans on beginning work immediately to make improvements to the Nakoma Golf Course (previously known as the “Dragon”), clubhouse and spa villas. For the time being the clubhouse will only have a snack bar to serve the golfers. Schoff plans to re-open the restaurant when the economy returns to a more robust state.
Dan and Leah West (Graeagle Land and Water Co.) are acting in an advisory capacity at the Nakoma Golf Course and have contracted with Schoff to manage the Feather River Inn Golf Course this summer.
Schoff is enthusastic about its new venture. David Beveridge, vice president, said “My charge will be to bring Gold Mountain and the Nakoma Golf Resort back to where it can once again shine as a beacon in Plumas County”.
Schoff pointed out “Nakoma” is a Chippewa word meaning “I do as I promise.” Perhaps now, Nakoma at Gold Mountain can fulfill its promise.
One thing is positive – its a good start to the season for all the current property owners at Gold Mountain. ”We have turned the corner…”.
For more information, go to the Gold Mtn. website: www.goldmountainhoa.org
4/28/10