The John Gottlund Endowment

The Durham Community Foundation (DCF) was established with a gift from the John Gottlund estate in 2005. John was a local farmer who was an ardent supporter of agriculture, wildlife conservation, education, and athletics. DCF has created two separate funds to distinguish these interests.  Gottlund Endowment-Butte Ag Fund supports all agricultural causes within Butte County. The Gottlund Endowment-Community Fund invests in all other community needs. The Foundation honors John's legacy by focusing its efforts on connecting charitable community members with worthy endeavors.

DCF takes pride in our generous community and we support many active sub-funds that enrich our local area and schools. The Durham Community Foundation is a non-profit entity, 501 (c)(3), Federal Tax ID #: 203824986.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cynthia Argo, Cliff Keene, Dax Kimmelshue, Lee McLaughlin, Susan Murphy, John Nock, Christy Patterson, Eva-Lis Southam and Jessica Thorpe

Refections From The Adams Past

By John Gottlund

I know that I am growing older and may someday be old.

I will refrain from feeling that I must offer an opinion on every subject.

I will resist the temptation to straighten out everybody's affairs.

I must be thoughtful not moody and considerate, not arbitrary.

I will exercise my wisdom with caution because I want to keep my friends.

I will limit detail in my discussions and make my point without delay.

I should have the grace to appreciate the problems of others and to listen.

I must practice humility when my memory differs with the recollections of others; there is a probability that at times I may be mistaken.

I must be relatively mellow but not saintly; I realize that an old grouch is unbearable.

I should recognize good in unexpected places and ability in unexpected people.

If I cannot say something good about someone I will say nothing.

JOHN GOTTLUND

John Gottlund, farmer and philanthropist was born in the Province of Ufa, Empire of Russia in 1915 (Republic of Bashkortostan). When antigovernment forces over ran his parent's farm, the family escaped through the Ural Mountains. Nearly starving, they reached Finland after one year and immigrated to the United States, settling in Pacific Grove, California.

John graduated from Pacific Grove High School and then attended and graduated from Modesto Junior College and William and Mary University in Virginia.  Excelling in football, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins, however, his patriotic spirit arose and passing up his dream to play in the NFL, he joined the United States Army. He was involved in many engagements throughout France, eventually attaining the rank of Major. 

He received a Bronze Star and after the war returned to California and attended U.C. Davis to coach football and obtain an Ag teaching credential.  For two years he taught Ag and coached football at Orland High School. He was then recalled to duty in the Korean War for another two years, and received another Bronze Star for heroism. He returned home to manage the Lamb Ranch in Meridian for 10 years and the moved to Durham to manage the Adams Ranch for the Newhall Land and Farming Company for 2o years.

John was married to Margaret "Peggy" Durling in 1948. They were the parents of one son, Stephen, who graduated from Durham High School in 1968. Stephen entered the Navy, serving in the South Pacific during the Vietnam conflict. Peggy predeceased John in 1981, as did Steve in 2001. Numerous nieces and nephews in California, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Kansas survive him.

John was an ardent supporter of agricultural education, collegiate athletics, and wildlife conservation.

By Rian Farley