Maurice Kophamer

Maurice Carl Kophamer, 91, of Lookout Mountain, Ga., passed away Sunday July 14, 2013.Maurice was born in Morrison/Sterling, Ill., of Estelle Lessman and Carl C. Kophamer. The family moved early on to Southern California where he would receive his education and serve in the United States Navy.After the war he returned to Arcadia and married Nancy Bare of Long Beach. They would soon leave there to settle in the Great San Joaquin Valley where he would become one of the best known and successful growers in that 500 mile corridor. He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bakersfield and served and supported the church in many ways. He was a longtime member of the school board in Kern County and served in various capacities in numerous other agricultural, civic and social organizations. His wife, Nancy preceded him in death and their daughter, Melanie. He is survived by two sons, Scott (Elizabeth), of St. Augustine, Fla., Douglas (Jona), of Bakersfield, Calif.; and a daughter, Lisa (Jack) Farrior, Fresno, Calif.; He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Jan, and his two step-sons, Michael (Norma Jean) Hyde, Mark (Melissa) Hyde and his precious little companion schnauzer, Khobe.He married Janet "Jan" Roach Hyde, of North Georgia in 1997. Upon retirement in 2007 they came to settle in the West Brow area of Lookout Mountain. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home with Pastor Wayne Guffey officiating.The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the funeral home.Arrangements by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory located at the end of Historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.