California Ag Giant John Inman Dies At 69
July 2, 2010 John Inman, a professional engineer, consultant, and farm adviser emeritus with the Monterey County Agricultural Extension in Salinas, CA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 28, after a stroke. He was 69.
Inman was a regular contributor to American Vegetable Grower for more than 30 years, as the writer of the column “Into Gear.” In his columns, he covered everything from emission standard changes for tractor engines to the latest weeders and everything in between. He also wrote the monthly "Tool Tip" section.
"John was a tremendous asset to the industry and to the magazine," says Rosemary Gordon, editor of American Vegetable Grower. "He was an integral part of our staff. He will be truly missed."
He also was a presence at all of the big ag shows both in the U.S. and overseas, including World Ag Expo in California and the International Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Exibition in Bologna, Italy. His extensive knowledge of agriculture led to him being the recipient numerous ag awards over the years.
The following is courtesy of TheCalifornian.com:
John Inman, who died Monday, was a longtime fixture in Salinas Valley’s top industry.
"I just remember John as an incredible resource in regards to agriculture, to science and research, equipment, seed production, everything," said James Bogart, president of Grower-Shipper Association. "If I had any questions on anything, he had the answer."
Inman died unexpectedly Monday after a stroke Saturday, his family said.
Inman had worked as an agricultural consultant, farm advisor and registered professional agricultural engineer. He was a founding board member of the Monterey County Agricultural Education, started and led the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Business Day Tours for 29 years, and was a member of Ag Against Hunger and Hartnell College’s Agricultural Steering Committee.
He received the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ag Leadership Award in 2001.
"John was just bigger than life itself when it came to agriculture," said Eric Lauritzen, Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner. "It’s a huge loss."
Struve and Laporte Chapel is handling funeral arrangements. Inman is set to be cremated and a celebration of life ceremony is in the works, likely to be held in August.
Jody Inman said her husband knew many people around the United States. She said Tuesday she thought it would be best to celebrate his life when they all can have a chance to attend.
Despite all of her husband’s accomplishments in the agricultural industry, the 68-year-old said, John Inman was something greater: "John was an all-around good man."
The couple met in 1962 at a college mixer. John Inman studied Agriculture Engineering at Oregon State University. Jody attended the University of Oregon.
"We basically met by accident," she said. Two years later, the couple married. They have one daughter, Janet.
In 1965, the couple moved to Salinas, where John Inman took a job with the University of California Cooperative Extension as an ag engineering farm advisor.
"He loved Salinas," Jody Inman said of her husband. "He loved the valley."
His expertise in agriculture allowed him to write for publications such as the American Vegetable Grower Magazine and Coastal Grower.
In 2007, he received the Spirit of Agriculture award from the Monterey County Agricultural Education program. This past fall, he received his third Salinas Chamber of Commerce member of the month honor.
Janet Inman said her father loved what he did, which allowed him to pursue another passion — travelling by recreational vehicle.
"He and mom easily put more than 100,000 miles on various RVs over the last 40 years," she said. "He was curious about everything … He often said he was one of the lucky ones who really loved their work.
"I am the lucky one to be his daughter," she said.
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