Fruit grower Dewey John Forry Jr. dies
Dewey John Forry Jr., president of Reedley, Calif.-based fruit grower-shipper DJ Forry Co., died April 26 after a long fight with cancer.
He was 64.
“Dewey would want it noted he far outlived his doctor’s original prognosis,” according to a statement from the company. “He once said, ‘I know why I got cancer. It’s so I can make these people doing chemo with me smile.’”
Forry had been with the family produce business in 1978, which his father, Dewey Forry Sr., ran. Prior to that, the younger Forry had played professional baseball as a pitcher for seven years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. A career 1.21 earned-run average got him as far as the Dodgers’ Triple-A farm team in Albuquerque, N.M. When baseball was behind him, he brought that commitment to the family business, said John Forry, his older brother and vice president of DJ Forry Co.
“Wherever he was, everyone felt him,” John Forry said. “He was just a caring, loving guy that was good at what he did. Basically, he was just an all-powerful personality that touched many people’s lives.”
Dewey John Forry Jr. was noted for his devotion as father and family member, as well as his skills as a teacher and friend, “mentoring many in the business like a father, fighting for them like a brother,” according to the company statement. “He always had your back, and he always told you exactly what he thought.”
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Sava; daughters Miranda and Liz; his sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann and Dennis; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Jacquie.
A celebration of Forry’s life is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 26 at See Canyon Fruit Ranch in San Luis Obispo, Calif., followed by a charity golf tournament in his honor May 27.
Contact mirandaforry@gmail.com for details. Donations in Forry’s name can be made to the Hearst Cancer Resource Center.
