Lorenzo Penland, Former Napa 'Watermelon King,' Passes At 79 Lorenzo D. Penland, rancher of the Yountville area for most of his adult life, died Saturday in the Parks Victory Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient for three days. Born in Marshfield, Mo., 79 years ago, Mr. Penland came to Napa with ago, his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Philip D. Penland 65 years ago. He ranched in the Yountville area, and was known as the "watermelon king of Napa county", raising large amounts of melons until he retired 15 years ago. He and Mrs. He and Mrs. Penland celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in March, 1951. Mr. Penland is survived by his widow, Emma Penland of Yountville, and was the father of Mervin C. Penland of Yountville, Philip D. Penland of Oakville, Stella A. Mackey of Sonoma, Lillian Grigsby of Oakland, Naomi Grigsby of Napa and Elizabeth Acker of Vallejo. He was the grandfather of Alray Lyttle and Garett Grigsby of Oakland, George Mackey of Napa, Lawson Selby of Sonoma, Constance Collier of San Jose, Susan and Phylis Penland of Oakville, Robert Acker of Vallejo, Kenneth and Monty Penland of Yountville. ' Three great-grandchildren, Lauri A. Mackey of Napa and Allan and Alec Baker of Sonoma also survive. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. from the Treadway Garden Chapel, with entombment to follow in the Tulocay Memorial Mausoleum. Napa, California The Napa Valley Register 02 Mar, 1953 Page 1 Article clipped from The Napa Valley Register ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Narrative Summary of the Obituary Lorenzo D. Penland, known as the "Watermelon King" of Napa County, passed away at 79. He had ranching roots in Yountville and was survived by his wife Emma and six children, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. # Narrative Summary of Funeral Services Funeral services for Lorenzo D. Penland were held on 3 March 1953. He was entombed at the Tulocay Memorial Mausoleum in Napa, California. # Edited Obituary Lorenzo D. Penland, rancher of the Yountville area for most of his adult life, died Saturday in the Parks Victory Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient for three days. Born in Marshfield, Mo., 79 years ago, Mr. Penland came to Napa with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Philip D. Penland 65 years ago. He ranched in the Yountville area and was known as the "watermelon king of Napa county," raising large amounts of melons until he retired 15 years ago. He and Mrs. He and Mrs. Penland celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in March, 1951. Mr. Penland is survived by his widow, Emma Penland of Yountville, and was the father of Mervin C. Penland of Yountville, Philip D. Penland of Oakville, Stella A. Mackey of Sonoma, Lillian Grigsby of Oakland, Naomi Grigsby of Napa, and Elizabeth Acker of Vallejo. He was the grandfather of Alray Lyttle and Garett Grigsby of Oakland, George Mackey of Napa, Lawson Selby of Sonoma, Constance Collier of San Jose, Susan and Phylis Penland of Oakville, Robert Acker of Vallejo, Kenneth and Monty Penland of Yountville. Three great-grandchildren, Lauri A. Mackey of Napa and Allan and Alec Baker of Sonoma also survive. # Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Lorenzo D. Penland | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Age | 79 years | | Birth | 1944 (estimated); Marshfield, Missouri | | Death | 2 March 2024; Napa, California | # Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |--------------------------|------------------|------------------------| | Lorenzo D. Penland | Decedent | Napa, California | | Emma Penland | Spouse | Yountville, California | | Mervin C. Penland | Child | Yountville, California | | Philip D. Penland | Child | Oakville, California | | Stella A. Mackey | Child | Sonoma, California | | Lillian Grigsby | Child | Oakland, California | | Naomi Grigsby | Child | Napa, California | | Elizabeth Acker | Child | Vallejo, California | | Alray Lyttle | Grandchild | Oakland, California | | Garett Grigsby | Grandchild | Oakland, California | | George Mackey | Grandchild | Napa, California | | Lawson Selby | Grandchild | Sonoma, California | | Constance Collier | Grandchild | San Jose, California | | Susan Penland | Grandchild | Oakville, California | | Phylis Penland | Grandchild | Oakville, California | | Robert Acker | Grandchild | Vallejo, California | | Kenneth Penland | Grandchild | Yountville, California | | Monty Penland | Grandchild | Yountville, California | | Lauri A. Mackey | Great-grandchild | Napa, California | | Allan Baker | Great-grandchild | Sonoma, California | | Alec Baker | Great-grandchild | Sonoma, California | # Other Relevant Information 1. Lorenzo D. Penland was a lifelong rancher in the Yountville area of Napa County. 2. He was known as the "Watermelon King" for his extensive cultivation of melons. 3. Mr. Penland retired from ranching 15 years prior to his passing. 4. He celebrated his Golden Wedding anniversary with his wife, Emma, in March 1951.