Russell Clair Shoemake, 93, died Friday, Oct. 21.
He was born in Coalinga. As a child he grew up near Taft, later moving to Galt where he graduated from Galt High School. He later attended Sacramento City College.
Mr. Shoemake moved to Benicia, where he was employed at Benicia Port Authority. The day Pearl Harbor was bombed, he was the first to receive the call from Pearl Harbor that the country was under attack. He notified authorities, who notified Washington D.C.
He owned an irrigation pump service in Chico, Durham, and Riverbank from 1957 to 1965. He had an interest in the railroad and worked for several railroad companies over 30 years, retiring from Western Pacific Railroad.
He is survived by his daughters Janice Schauer of Hughson and Meryl Parreira of Riverbank; nephews Raul Kennedy and Larry Shoemake; niece Sharon Falto, seven grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion Shoemake; daughter, Ramana Boulter; and parents, Martin Peak and Nora Grable Shoemake.
Services will be private.
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Nov. 23, 2011
He was born in Coalinga. As a child he grew up near Taft, later moving to Galt where he graduated from Galt High School. He later attended Sacramento City College.
Mr. Shoemake moved to Benicia, where he was employed at Benicia Port Authority. The day Pearl Harbor was bombed, he was the first to receive the call from Pearl Harbor that the country was under attack. He notified authorities, who notified Washington D.C.
He owned an irrigation pump service in Chico, Durham, and Riverbank from 1957 to 1965. He had an interest in the railroad and worked for several railroad companies over 30 years, retiring from Western Pacific Railroad.
He is survived by his daughters Janice Schauer of Hughson and Meryl Parreira of Riverbank; nephews Raul Kennedy and Larry Shoemake; niece Sharon Falto, seven grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion Shoemake; daughter, Ramana Boulter; and parents, Martin Peak and Nora Grable Shoemake.
Services will be private.
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Nov. 23, 2011
