Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

George Biddle

George Biddle, 96, born to Royce and Hulda Biddle on Feb. 10, 1919, passed away Monday, Aug. 31, 2015.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. at Franklin & Downs McHenry Chapel, 1050 McHenry Avenue in Modesto. A graveside service will directly follow at St Stanislaus Cemetery.

He was born in a two-room log cabin on his parents' homesteaded ranch near Glasgow, Mont. He lived his early years with his family in primitive frontier conditions without electricity or indoor plumbing. Everyone in the family had to do chores. He developed a strong work ethic early in life.

He attended Montana State College where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics and farm management. He attended Officers Candidate School and Chinese Language School. He was in World War II and the Korean War, where he served in the Army's elite Intelligence Services. His rank was First Lieutenant.

He taught for 10 years at Modesto Junior College before going into the egg production and marketing business. He served as president of the Faculty Club at Modesto Junior College and was president of the Greater Modesto Kiwanis Club. As a Farm Bureau Member and a member of the agriculture committee of the chamber of commerce, he was a leader in getting Farm City Week adopted by the City of Modesto where the event is now celebrated as the Harvest Festival. He was the first chairman of the Good Egg Breakfast, which is now an annual affair in the city of Modesto.

As an innovator, he designed the "All-In-All-Out" system of poultry ranching, separating the baby chicks from the pullets and from the laying hens. This technique saved the lives of millions of baby chicks by protecting them from diseases which led to enhanced productivity. These methods, pioneered by George Biddle, are in worldwide use today and are a part of his unsung legacy.

He served as chairman of the board of Nulaid Foods. He served as president of the California Egg Marketing Board, the Pacific Egg and Poultry Assn., and President of the National American Egg Board, a national egg advertising association. There he was chairman of the committee that selected the motto, "The Incredible Edible Egg."

He was in the egg production business where he was one of the founders of Sun Valley Farms, a partnership which produced, processed, marketed and sold eggs to Lucky Stores in Northern California and throughout the West. Sun Valley Farms owned over a million laying hens and was once ranked 37th largest farming corporation in California.

His outside passions included hunting, fishing and being with family.

Preceding him in death were one brother, Vernon (family's war hero) and one sister, Esther.

Survivors include three children; Royce James Biddle MD, Michael Biddle and Mary Marino. Four grandchildren, Michael Biddle JD, Garrick Biddle MS, David Marino and Audra McKissen; and two great-grandchildren, Ty and Kyle McKissen.

In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation to MJC Agriculture Department, 425 College Ave, Modesto, CA 95350. Please include the memo, "In Memory of George Biddle."

Franklin & Downs Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Biddle family.

 

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