George B. Weiss, Jr., a Yolo County farmer, volunteer firefighter and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away on March 14, at age 90.
Those who knew him will remember him as a hard worker with a kind heart. He would frequently describe himself when asked as, “old and grouchy,” though he was not so old when he adopted this phrase, and seldom acted like much of a grouch.
Born August 29, 1934 in Woodland, Weiss grew up on his family’s farm outside the town of Yolo.
He was a student at Cacheville Elementary School and Woodland High School, graduating in 1952, where he excelled in ag and shop classes, and competed in ag mechanics and welding through Future Farmers of America.
Farming was his first passion and a lifelong pursuit.
Weiss attended UC Davis, where he studied production agriculture for two years and was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. It was there that he met Bonnie Lucille Davis, his partner and wife of 67 years.
He joined the US Army during the Korean War, serving from 1954 to 1957, with duty stations at Camp Beale, Aberdeen Proving Ground and Guam. While in the Army, he expanded his skills in welding and fabrication, which became a secondary passion.
Upon returning to Northern California, Weiss took over farming operations at the family ranch north of Yolo, working with his father, uncle Leo and, eventually, cousin Ernie. An avid user of Caterpillar and John Deere tractors, he fabricated a wide array of implements and improved/customized many that were purchased.
He initiated and perfected irrigated crop farming on the family property, growing alfalfa, hay, tomatoes, corn and assorted seed crops. Weiss also built friendships with other young farmers in the area, including Al Cruickshank, Wes Reiff, Elwyn Richter, Edgar and Bobby Strehle, Harry Dewey, Jack Mast and Joe Muller, Sr.
Weiss found opportunities to engage with his community through St John’s United Church of Christ and Stollwood Convalescent Home, serving as a board member for each. He devoted 60 years as a volunteer fireman, captain and spent 45 years as a commissioner with the Yolo Fire Department, where he formed many close friendships. He was active with the Yolo County Farm Bureau and Yolo County Farm Supply organizations.
George and Bonnie married in 1957, and after a brief stint in Dunnigan, moved to the Yolo area, where they raised their three sons: David, Steven and Richard. Weiss supported his son’s interests in 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts and various sports, and taught them to work hard, respect their elders, be self-sufficient and give back.
Although he had no siblings, Weiss grew very close with Bonnie’s siblings and their families; he was also very close to his cousin, Kathryn McGlinchey Laughlin and her family in Livermore.
Weiss was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma J. Weiss and George B. Weiss, Sr. He is survived by his sons David (wife Bonnie), Steven (wife Kathy), and Richard (wife Sabrina); grandchildren Will, George (wife Nagehan), Emily, Lindsey (husband Rashad), Haley (husband John), Alex (husband Sean), Taylor (husband Chris), and great grandchildren Mackenzie, Tatum, Brooke, Haydenne, Jackson and Maddie.
A graveside service will be held at Mary’s Cemetery at the corner of CR 98 and CR 15 in Yolo on March 28, 2025 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the Yolo Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Yolo Fire Department Scholarship Fund, St John’s United Church of Christ and Friends of the Yolo Branch Library.