Harlan Ross Awbrey

November 7, 1948 – May 19, 2026

Harlan Ross Awbrey was born on November 7, 1948, at the naval hospital in Oakland, California, to Norman and Vincelle Awbrey. He was proud to be named in honor of two uncles: Harlan Awbrey, who was killed in action on Iwo Jima during World War II, and Ross Spallina. The eldest of four boys, Harlan grew up in Reedley, where he developed a foundation of faith, service, and generosity that would come to define his life.

From an early age, faith was a steady and guiding presence for Harlan. He was baptized with his three brothers at Christ Lutheran Church in Reedley in 1958 and confirmed there in June 1962. He attended the National Luther League Convention in Detroit in 1964 and Youth Leadership Training Camp at California Lutheran College in 1965. He served as President of Luther League at Christ Lutheran and Chairman of the all-Reedley Interdenominational Christian Youth Conference in 1965.

As a young man, he was a natural leader who brought energy, intelligence, and enthusiasm to school, church, scouting, athletics, music, and theater. He became an Eagle Scout in 1964 and later received the Pro Deo Et Patria Lutheran Scouting Award. Throughout school, he was involved in nearly everything — drama, student government, debate, athletics, music, and church youth leadership. He served as Junior Class President, represented Reedley High School at Boys State, was the speaker at his high school graduation, won multiple speech contests, played quarterback on the football team, performed on stage in the lead role in The Mousetrap, debated in valley tournaments, played saxophone in the band, and was the leader/bass player in a high school rock band called The Paramounts and then The Vestrymen.

After graduating from Reedley High School, Harlan attended California Lutheran College, where he received a debate scholarship and once considered becoming a pastor. He later transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1970. While at UCSB, he remained active in Lutheran church life, serving on the UCSB student church council and playing guitar for church services. He went on to attend McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento before realizing, in his own words, that law school was "not my cup of tea, after all."

Harlan returned home and began his fruit marketing career at Ito Packing in Reedley in 1973. He went on to work at Kash, Inc., and R&K Distributors before starting his own company, Golden Valley Fruit, in December 1985. For seventeen years, he owned and operated Golden Valley Fruit. Over the course of his thirty-year career as a produce broker, Harlan sold peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, grapes, oranges, apples, and cherries — building a life rooted in the agricultural heart of the Central Valley he loved.

In August 1977, Harlan married Linda Botkin, and together they had two daughters, Jill and Heather. After their divorce, Harlan poured himself into fatherhood, a role he treasured and described as "the time of my life." They were a theater family. He proudly supported both Jill and Heather through years of performing with Good Company Players at Roger Rocka's and Second Space Theater. Together they traveled to Hawaii, Disney World, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, the Caribbean, the Grand Canyon, and several national parks while also making countless visits to their favorite place, Disneyland. He took enormous pride in the women his daughters became — Jill, a professional actress and screenwriter; and Heather, a mother, elementary school teacher, and community theater actress.

Community service was woven throughout Harlan's life. He co-organized the Reedley Peace March against the Vietnam War on Christmas Eve in 1969, served eight years on the Reedley Parks and Recreation Commission — six of them as chairman — and helped organize CROP Hunger Walks, class reunions, and adult city league sports teams. He also helped establish River City Theater Company, bringing his love of theater into the Reedley community. He had a gift for giving — not only materially, but through his time, his labor, and his desire to help others experience more of life.

After three decades in fruit marketing, Harlan began a second career that became one of the great callings of his life. He earned his CLAD Teaching Credential from National University in 2002 and began teaching, first at New Millennium Institute in West Fresno and then for thirteen years at Tranquility High School. There, he taught U.S. History, American Government, Economics, and ASB Leadership. He served as Student Activities Director, After School Program Coordinator, Social Science Department Chair, and the West Sierra/Sequoia League Activity Directors Chairman. He was named Golden Plains Unified Teacher of the Year, nominated for Fresno County Teacher of the Year, had the yearbook dedicated to him twice, and was invited to serve as a graduation keynote speaker. He loved teaching and believed that God had led him to that work.

Harlan's faith remained a steady foundation throughout his life. At Christ Lutheran Church, he served as Deacon, Head Deacon, Vice President, and President. After moving to Clovis in 1997, he and his daughters began attending Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno. While continuing to be a member at Christ Lutheran, he also became a member at Hope Lutheran in 2014. At Hope, he served as an office volunteer, church money counter, Monday Minister, and helped with Vacation Bible School. For Harlan, faith was something to be lived — through service, kindness, generosity, and a steady willingness to help.

Harlan retired in June 2017 with one very clear goal: to spend more time with his granddaughters, Ellie and Nora. He got that precious time. In his own words: "Mission accomplished!" They were the joy of his retired life.

Harlan passed away on May 19, 2026, following complications from heart and kidney failure. He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Vincelle Awbrey; his brother, Terry Awbrey; his sister-in-law, Jacque Awbrey; and his son-in-law, Chase Glosier. He is survived by his daughters, Heather Glosier and Jill Awbrey; Jill's husband, Brett Crowley; his beloved granddaughters, Ellie and Nora Glosier; his brothers, Steve Awbrey and Dan Awbrey; his sister-in-law, Francene Awbrey; and his nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, generosity, humor, leadership, devotion, and love — a life fully lived, and a family deeply grateful to have been loved by him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno or Christ Lutheran Church in Reedley.