Rocky Lydon died at Monterey Pines Convalescent Hospital, Monterey, after a lengthy illness. He was 89.
Born in San Mateo, CA, He grew up at the Beresford Country Club, where his father was the manager. He was a life-long golfer, and was famous for winning local tournaments (and wagers) playing with just a two-iron and a putter. He graduated from San Mateo High School and attended the University of California, Davis, where he was on the polo and boxing teams and was Student Body President. He met his wife Florence while at Davis, and following his graduation, they moved to Santa Cruz where he was the Assistant Farm Advisor under Henry Washburn. In 1942, he joined the United States Navy, serving as a Lieutenant (ig) aboard a Destroyer Escort in the South Pacific. At war’s end, he was a sheep buyer for Armour Star, before becoming a Farm Advisor in Hollister, where he lived for over fifty years. For many years, he served as a sheep judge at the Santa Cruz county Fair.
He shared Mark Twain’s hesitancy about joining organizations, but when he did join, he brought his formidable leadership skills with him. He was past president of the Hollister Rotary, the San Benito County Horse Show Association and the Gavilan College Board of Trustees. He was elected to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, beating the incumbent with a campaign fund of only $14. Whether on the golf course or in politics, he took great pleasure in handicapping himself and then winning going away.
He also scratched his competitive itch by racing sports cars and sedans in the Sport Car Club of America. He was past president of the Racing Drivers Club.
His wife, Florence, and his daughter Susan Kozen preceded him in death. Four of his brothers and sisters also predeceased him: Robert, Kathleen, Dick, and Ted. He is survived by his sister Mary Guheen of North Dakota. He is also surived by son Sandy and his wife Ann of Aptos, and son Stuart and his wife Tess of Pebble Beach. Three grandchildren also survive him: Chris Lydon of Aptos, Sasha Lydon of Santa Cruz, and Eric Kozen of Wilmington, North Carolina
There are no services planned. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations in his name be made to the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association, P. O. Box 56, Hollister, CA 95024.
