Loren Wayne Hosmer
July 10, 1925 - June 13, 2013
Loren Wayne Hosmer was born July 10, 1925, in Ceres, the third child of Wayne Alfred and Petra Kristine Hosmer. He passed away June 13, 2013, in Modesto surrounded by his loving family, from complications of age and dementia.
Born and raised in Ceres, Loren attended Ceres schools and graduated from Ceres High in 1943. He married Erma Loy Streeter on December 30, 1945, and together they enjoyed 67 years of marriage.
Loren was always a hard worker, starting in the fruit orchards and drying yards in Ceres as a kid as well as helping at his father's service station and around their home and neighborhood. Loren worked in construction throughout his life, starting at the Modesto Lumber Company in Ceres. He later moved to the Modesto yard and then on the Stanislaus Lumber Company. Later, in partnerships with Elmer Gray, he built, remodeled and repaired homes and cabins in Modesto, Ceres, and at the Odd Fellows Sierra Recreation Association Park in Long Barn.
Loren also drove buses for Ceres schools for 17 years, driving mornings, noon, and after school while working construction jobs in the intervening hours. A whole generation of Ceres kids still have stories of their time spent being driven back and forth to school and on field trips on Bus #5 with Mr. Hosmer.
In 1975 he and partner Al Abrams formed a door company, A&H Distributions, which three years later became Capitol Door Sales. He retired in 1991.
Loren and Erma's retirement years were spent motorhoming throughout North America as well as International travel to Australia and England. They attended innumerable graduations, recitals, performances, weddings, and birthday celebrations of their numerous and still expanding extended family.
Loren was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for 69 years. He also belonged to the 3-Links Travel Club and The International Ham Radio Association.
Loren is survived by his wife, Erma Streeter Hosmer of Modesto; his children, Shirley Wagoner (Ed) of Springfield, Ore., Sylvia McKee (Jack) of Kinnear, Wyoming, Carole Ridgley (Scott) of Modesto, David Hosmer (Liz) of Modesto, Mary Churley of San Diego, Laverta Dauterman (Joel) of Sammamish, Wash., and Bradley Hosmer (Heather) of Manteca; and 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 2two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, two brothers, daughter Nancy Smith, and grandson Jason Boyd.
There was a visitation in honor of Loren, on Tuesday June 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Franklin and Downs Funeral Chapel 1050 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350. Interment was private; there will be a memorial service in honor of Loren's life scheduled for a date in the near future.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Community Hospice, 4638 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356; or the Society for Handicapped Children & Adults,1129 8th Street, Ste. 101, Modesto, CA 95354.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
