Ernest C. Burroughs, 89, was born in 1922 at his family home in Knightsen. After graduating from Liberty High School, he spent two years at the University of California, Berkeley before joining the family dairy business in 1942. He was a lifetime dairyman, partnering first with his brother Oscar in Contra Costa County for 30 years and then with sons Bruce and Ward in Merced County for another 30 years.

He served on many boards, including the Oakley school district board. He was a director for California Gold Dairy Cooperative and Eastside Water District as well. He served as president of the Farm Bureau Federation in Contra Costa County. He was a member of the Atwater United Methodist Church and served on its board of trustees. He was an avid horseman and especially enjoyed horse and mule pack trips into the Sierra Nevada mountains.

He is survived by his sister, Cynthia Hummal; five children, Bruce (Barbara), Ward (Rosie), Mary, Robert (Ginny) and Katherine (Rob); 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary “Loo,” to whom he was married for 57 years; his brothers, Rennie, Oscar and Phil; and granddaughter Bethany.

Arrangements are entrusted to Allen Mortuary. A memorial service will be held at Atwater United Methodist Church in Atwater on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Atwater United Methodist Church, 2550 Linden St., Atwater, CA 95301 or Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.

Please share your memories at www.allenmortuary.com.