Family, friends remember longtime Ontario dairyman

On Monday morning te Velde died in his Ontario home after battling lung cancer for the past seven months.

On Wednesday, those close to the 78-year-old remembered him not only as a father but for his contributions to the agriculture industry.

"For those who were blessed to have known him, he touched the lives of everyone he met," said Gayle Learned, executive director of the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau.

Since his diagnosis, te Velde's son, Ken, said his health continued to deteriorate with the cancer spreading to his whole body.

"But he always had a positive attitude and he was very unselfish," he said. "You never heard him complain about anything."

Away from work, Ken said his father loved spending time with his family and playing with one of his 18 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

"He always put other people first and did things for other people," Ken said. "My dad didn't like the limelight or getting recognition but if he was asked to help, he would do his part."

In December, after more than 30 years of service to agriculture in San Bernardino County and statewide, the Ontario resident was recognized with the California Farm Bureau Federation Distinguished Service Award during the Farm Bureau's annual meeting.

"It was very gratifying that he was able to know he was appreciated and knew how people admired him," Learned said.

His TeeVee Dairy came into existence in 1969 in what today is Ontario. te Velde and his wife Carol would raise their six children on the farm, Ken said.

In 2006, te Velde closed the south Ontario dairy and entered into a partnership with his son, Ken, and moved the business to Hobbs, N.M.

Despite his bout with cancer, te Velde continued to serve as secretary/treasurer of the San Bernardino County Farm Bureau, said Learned.

Learned said she met te Velde three years ago when she was interviewing for her job and the two immediately became friends.

Because te Velde could not longer leave his home, Learned said she would often visit him at home and have him sign checks for the organization.

"His fierce commitment to his wife and family is one that I admired and an attribute I adored about him," she said. "He was a character, to say the least, and a man that always welcomed you with a smile, no matter how his illness was affecting him. He will be truly missed and his family is in our prayers."

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ontario Christian School, Ontario Christian School Association, 931 W. Philadelphia St., Ontario.

Or they can make a donation to the California Foundation for Agriculture In the Classroom, 2300 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento.

te Velde is survived by his wife, Carol and children: Jim, Ken, Cheri, Susie, Bobby and Carol. He also leaves behind 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at Draper Mortuary, 811 N. Mountain Ave., Ontario.

Services will be held at Cross Point church in Chino Friday at 11 a.m. Cross Point Church is at 6950 Edison Ave