Kern County Obituaries

Dr. Lon Denison

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

Former Tehachapi resident, Dr. Lon Denison, 84, passed away October 27 at his home in Pilot 
Hill, California, following a long illness.
Dr. Denison was born here in 1914 and attended Tehachapi Elementary School and graduated from 
high school in Ventura. He served with the U.S. Navy, attended UC Davis where he earned a 
degree in agriculture, and later attended UCLA and USC dental schools, graduating from the latter.
He brought his young family to Tehachapi in 1950 and built a dental office at the corner of Green 
and E Streets where he practiced for many years.
He served as Mayor of Tehachapi from July 6, 1954 to July 18, 1955.
The highly respected professional got his lifelong love of farming from his father, Lon Denison, 
Sr., and an uncle, B.M. Denison, who planted the local well-remembered pear orchard in the center of 
town in the early 1900's that was later bought by J.G. Bisbee. They coined the name T-hacha-P for 
the bright blue labels which adorned pear boxes, a name that became well-known throughout the 
country. Dr. Denison once told a friend that he became a dentist so he could afford to be a farmer, and 
when free time away from dental chairs allowed, planted and nurtured his first pear orchard
here.
He continued his dual ambitions after moving to Pilot Hil in 1957 farming pears, and in 1963 
returned to Ventura where he raised lemons and persimmons. He enrolled for further schooling and 
added periodontics to his offerings.
In the early eighties hi moved to Placerville and upoi retirement continued to farn persimmons.
Survivors include his wife former Tehachapi resident Pa Wills Denison; one son and his wife, 
Steve and Lori Denison of Walterville, Oregon, one grandson, Lon Denison; and one sister, Jane Lyon of 
Stockton.
At his request no service were held. Remembrances may be made to Snowline Hospice 7563 Green 
Valley Road, Placerville, CA 95667

NOTE: Photo At: http://www.calarchives4u.com/photos/kern/