Eldon W. Pura, 93 of Greenfield passed away on April 24, 2018. He was born in Salinas on Aug. 9, 1924 to Swiss immigrants, Anselmo and Elvezia Barrera Pura from Canton, Ticino, Swit-zerland.
The family moved their dairy operation to Greenfield in 1927 when they herded the dairy animals down the 101 highway. Eldon lived on the Greenfield Ranch property until his passing day. He loved the many personal and festive events celebrated on the family farm.
As a young man, Eldon was involved in the family dairy operation. In the late 1940’s the family converted the property to a row crop operation growing sugar beets, carrots and many other vegetables. When the time came to either enlarge his farming operation or move on to something else, he decided to go into the Heavy Equipment and Land Leveling Business.
He was a top notch operator on his Letourneau Super C Tournapull. His next business venture was to become an Electrical Contractor, which he was involved in almost to his last days. He worked on houses, busi-nesses, farms, agriculture water pumps and industries up and down the valley. Eldon was a Mechanical Wizard. He was able to fix or fabricate almost anything that was needed on or off the farm.
In the late 40’s at a Swiss Italian Celebration in Modesto, Calif. Eldon met his future bride, Virginia DeMichelis. They were married on Jan. 21, 1951 in Gilroy, Calif. Virginia passed away in 2013.
He enjoyed fishing, from Alaska to the local streams of the Ventana Wilderness. He hunted for deer and Elk as well. Birdwatching was a favorite past time. He searched the jungles of Ecuador, the deserts of Mexico and throughout California. Boy Scout Leadership was another passion; his mentoring skills helped to facilitate the boys to become terrific young men, Eagle Scouts and beyond. Those boy scouts remember him today for his leadership skills and devotion to their success as adult men. Eldon served on the Greenfield Parks and Recreation Board of the Greenfield Oak Park and participated in the Salinas Elks for a few years. Eldon served in the National Guard and was a member of the 149th Armor Regiment.
He had an inherent affirmation for wine making, bartering electrical work for his local vineyard. His wines were award winning through-out the valley fairs. This skill was passed down from generation to generation. He loved to travel to Switzerland and Italy to visit his aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his son, Jeremy Pura and wife, Lynn; daughter, Heidi Lustenberger and husband Dale; 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the VNA Hospice of Salinas and Monterey or Mission San Antonio.
Friends and Family are invited to a Memorial for Eldon, which will be held at the Eldon Pura Ranch on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .
