Alvin Woodriff

Alvin Woodriff

He was born Dec. 5, 1911, near Wetmore, Colo., the youngest of three children, to Alan and Violet Woodriff. 

He grew up on the family cattle ranch high in the mountains near there, and attended a one-room schoolhouse by horseback for most of his early years. He embraced the ranch lifestyle, though he also spent happy times helping in his mother’s flower nursery in town. 

Alvin dropped out of high school after an altercation with the school principal, an incident often recited to family and friends. He spent many happy times after that working for the Hatchet Cattle Company in Texas, New Mexico and in Colorado, breaking horses and herding cattle.

His family moved from the ranch to Southern California, where Alvin followed and worked as a landscaper for a time. During that time, he returned to Colorado, where he married Edna Lively in a small ceremony. They returned to Southern California, but the Woodriff folks and Alvin and Edna shortly migrated north to Harbor. 

Alvin worked at various jobs, from logging to truck driving south into California during the blackouts of World War II, a challenge on 1930-1940 era Highway 101. He and Edna began growing lilies when Alvin’s brother George, who still lived in Southern California at that time, offered him some Formosanum seed if he would share the proceeds of that first crop. That was the beginning of a long life in the lily business. Alvin and Edna rapidly moved into Easter lily production, and remained in that business until Edna’s health dictated a move away from the coastal climate.

In 1966, he and his family moved from Harbor to Applegate, and began “retirement” in cattle and hay production on 50 acres. Eventually the farm was downsized and he and Edna moved to a smaller portion of the Applegate farm.  

Edna, his wife of 45 years, passed away in 1983. Alvin remarried, to long-time friend Jacqueline Lynch in 1985, and had many happy years until her death in 1995.

Alvin was an avid animal lover, always having a dog by his side taking an active part in his daily lifestyle. His dog Peaches survived him and will be finding a new happy home with family members though she will truly miss her “Dad.”

Alvin was wise in common sense and could fix anything broken that he encountered, generally with parts he found in his metal scrap pile, shop or barn. He was a homebody who was happiest on his farm. He was not a religious person in the traditional sense, but lived the Golden Rule and always tried to help anyone in need that he had the power to assist.

Alvin is survived by his son Larry Woodriff and his wife Julie of Longview, Wash.; daughter Shirley Woodriff of Applegate; grandson Mark Woodriff and great-grandsons Adam and Mason of Longview; granddaughter Alynn Kjeldsen and her husband Dan and great-granddaughters Anna and Lillian of Sebastopol, Calif. Many family cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors will have fond memories of Alvin.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, his brothers Ray and George “Leslie,” his first wife Edna, and his second wife Jackie.

Alvin’s last months were improved greatly by his caregivers Caroline, Donna, and Caryn, whose generous care allowed him to remain in his home.

There will not be an official memorial service, but Alvin will be missed daily by those who knew him.

Arrangements are being handled by Funeral Alternatives of Medford. 

Submitted by the family.