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Leland McCarthy, 81, a native of Hanford, Calif., and a resident of Houma, La., passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.
Over his lifetime he developed hundreds of thousands of acres of agriculture, including 70,000 acres of permanent crops throughout the U.S. and large-scale cattle and sheep ranching in Australia. His contributions, through various joint ventures and partnerships, included the world’s largest contiguous planting of varietal wine grapes, thousands of acres of sugar-cane farming and the operation of the Teche and South Coast sugar mills in southern Louisiana. Never without his cowboy hat, boots and cigar, Leland will forever be remembered for his quiet but commanding presence, insightful observations, unprecedented vision, pioneering spirit, perseverance, sharp wit and overwhelming generosity.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Theriot; former wife and mother of his children, Bettye Lou Thompson; son, Sean McCarthy; daughter, Meg McCarthy Somers; stepchildren, Russ and Alix Rabbass; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and brothers, Richard and Don McCarthy.
Private services were held in December at the McCarthy Chapel of St. Aloysius in Tulare, Calif. His Celebration of Life Memorial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Clarence Ritchie Barn, 16338 Avenue 308 in Visalia, Calif.
