Passed Away On: May 5, 2021
Published by permission of family.
Arnold Pierre Recalde, who was born in 1934 in Panoche Valley, California passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at his home in Madera.
Education was an important principle in Arnold’s life. He was a graduate of Hollister High School, class of 1953. For 27 years, Arnold served as Trustee for the Panoche School District and was active in 4-H and the FFA. He ranched in Panoche Valley for many years and specialized in sheep, alfalfa and cotton.
He was an ardent lover of Christ; Arnold was a member of Yosemite Christian Center and will be missed by his many friends.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Pierre and Teresa (Lopez) Recalde and his daughter Laurie Recalde Flint.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Linda Recalde, daughter Elizabeth (Brian) Recalde Smith and son Andrew Arnold Recalde; her three Grandchildren, Natalie (Seth) Smith Cunningham, Aaron Davis Smith, and Ryan Andrew Recalde, his sister Lillian Recalde Casillas, and sister-in-law Carol Sallaberry Graham as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation was held on Monday, May 10, 2021, 4:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Jay Chapel in Madera.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private family interment was held. The family’s concern is for the health of others.
Added tribute by his granddaughter Natalie Smith Cunningham
Raised on a ranch in the southern part of San Benito County, his father was a sheep herder from the Pays Basques and mother a strong capable woman with endless life stories. He had one sibling, my sweet Aunt Lil. I get my physical strength from him, but not my height. He went to the same high school as I did (and much of the family). While he would have loved my path to engineering school at Cal Poly, his path was in his father’s footsteps, ranching. He helped raise the strong, amazing woman who is my mother. He had a quadruple bypass at 46. He chased my brother and I around as kids. He loved technology and had internet before we did. He could tell a story that would keep me listening all evening long. He poured me my first alcohol – Panoche lemonade when I was quite young. The sound of his laugh will live in my heart forever. Celebrate his life with me today with either a glass of red wine or a bit of dessert, because I know he is having both!