Aubrey Gordon Hamlow April 19, 1930 - October 6, 2022

On October 6, 2022, after a long illness, the traveling farmer turned in his plow to be rejoined with the petite Norwegian beauty, his wife of forty-four years with as well as the rock of his life, his beloved mother.
Aubrey Gordon Hamlow was born in Turlock, California to the late Carl and Opal (Howell) Hamlow. He was the middle child, joining older brother Carl Wilkins (1924-1945). Three years later, Aubrey was followed by younger sister Lorene. He became the apple of his mother’s eye and the two remained devoted to each other. Aubrey’s Grandparents, Swedish Immigrants, August and Hulda Hamlow settled in Stanislaus County around 1912, the family grew to include seven sons and one daughter. It was the one daughter, Aubrey’s Aunt Edna who raised her three children, Marian, Pauline, and Carrol as siblings to Wilkins, Aubrey, and Lorene. Aubrey considered Marian his big sister and she was the one person whom he respected enough to give him a piece of her mind, he knew if she gave him one, “Heavens to Betsy, Aubrey,” he was in trouble. Carl and Opal Hamlow moved their family to Vallejo, California at the onset of World War II. Older brother Wilkins joined the army. The family returned to Stanislaus County where Aubrey attended Hughson High School. The day Aubrey never forgot was one April day in 1945 as he sat on a log on the farm with his father and Uncle Floyd as a military official came to the front door. He remembered hearing his mother scream when she learned her eldest son Wilkins was killed in action in Okinawa, Japan.
Aubrey graduated Hughson High School in 1947. He excelled in all his endeavors. To list all his accomplishments in school could take up several volumes but included Student Body President and President of the FFA. Aubrey went on to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he studied agriculture. Every week he would pack his laundry and send it on a bus to his mother so she could wash and press it for him, he trusted no one else! Aubrey went on to graduate in the top 20 percent of his class. He returned to the family farm where he bred Jersey calves for market and helped in the family’s peach orchards. On February 28, 1959, he married Elizabeth Ravnan, who immigrated from Norway with her family. Together they raised a daughter Karen and a son, Carl.
Aubrey’s passion was farming and buying properties. Every time he was able to save some money, he purchased yet another parcel of land. He was very active in the farming community. In 1965, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the California Freestone Peach Association for District 2. In 1976, he incorporated his business into Hamlow Ranches Inc. The entire family joined the company, he instilled his passion for the land and farming in his children and grandchildren. The Hamlow family prides themselves in over thirty years of working Farmer’s Markets in Northern, California. Aubrey’s other great passion was traveling. Aubrey and Elizabeth made numerous trips around the globe, but especially enjoyed trips to the Hamlow’s native Sweden and the Ravnan native home of Norway.
Aubrey suffered a double blow when his beloved Mother Opal, passed away in March 1985, seven months later, his father Carl followed his wife in death. As the years progressed, Aubrey expanded his property investments to San Jose, California. He moved there full-time following the death of his wife Elizabeth on June 24, 2003. He still traveled until his health could no longer allow it. He spent the last few decades of his life working on the Hamlow family history and personally transcribed over 10,000 ancestral names. Family history became his favorite past-time.
Aubrey is survived by his children Karen Hamlow and Carl (Praxedis) Hamlow. He leaves his grandchildren, Fernando Vargas, Steven Rickey, Javier Portillo, Scott (Sophia) Rickey, Ruby (Anthony) Harding, and Rochelle Savage. He also leaves six great-grandchildren, Avery, Jureme, Delilah, Sephorah, Aleesia, and Andre Jeremiah “AJ”. He is also survived by his sister Lorene Jarrett and her children Robin, Timothy (Elzbieta), Duane (Sho), and Keith (Wendy) Jarrett and his sisters-in-law Kari (Billie) Wilson and Astrid Nary. In addition to his parents, wife, and brother, Aubrey is preceded by his brothers and sisters-in-law Harry Jarrett, Hannah (Arnt) Mosand, Edwin Ravnan, Marcus (Jorun) Ravnan, Gudlaug (Lloyd) Ruhl and Frederick Ravnan as well as his beloved Uncles and Aunts, Arthur (Sophia) Hamlow, Edward Hamlow, Edna (Walter) Blakemore, Clarence (Clara) Hamlow, Earl (Edith) Hamlow, Floyd (Florence) Hamlow, and Fredolf Hamlow, as well as Exie (Sophie) Howell, Mabel Purinton, and Brady (Mildred) Howell. He is also preceded by his beloved cousins Marian (Harold) Seymour, Pauline (Vernon) Burke, and Carrol Heidt as well as his niece Susan Jarrett Jelicich. We would like to thank his recent companion Sally Yu for all the care she gave Aubrey over the years.
A viewing will take place on Friday, October 14, 2022, from 4-6pm at Allen Mortuary. A private graveside service will be held on a later date. Allen Mortuary oversees services. In Lieu of flowers consider donating to the McHenry Museum & Historical Society, P.O. Box 3173, Modesto, CA 95353.
As he says goodbye to the world, he loved to travel so much we rejoice in knowing he is with his Elizabeth and Mother Opal as well as all his departed loved ones he cherished so much. He is free from pain and enjoying the devotion of the two women who loved him best.