The Laub Family Endowment

Honoring Donald D. and Dr. Ronald L. Laub

Twin brothers Donald D. and Dr. Ronald L. Laub were born on July 22, 1933, in Fresno, California. They were second generation “Germans from Russia” whose ancestors settled in Fresno County in the early 1900s to farm. Tragically, the boys lost their father, Henry, when they were just nine years old. Despite this devastating loss, they, along with their mother, Anna, continued to farm the family’s Biola ranch between Fresno and Kerman.

Using the structure of a strong vocational agriculture program at Central Union High School, the brothers set high goals and became co-owners of a ranch of their own, along with a small beef breeding business by the time they graduated high school in 1951. They found wonderful mentors to guide them through track, Boy Scouts and FFA along the way.

Each brother took a different career path after high school, and both were highly respected leaders in their chosen fields and communities. Both brothers served their country: Don in the U.S. Army Reserves and Ron in the U.S. Army.

Don continued to farm, eventually building the family farms, Laub Ranches, Inc. and J & L Vineyards, into diversified high-quality grape operations in the Easton area. Don became known for producing premium table grapes, raisins and wine grapes and became one of the first to embrace and actively use integrated pest management. He was an innovator of trellis design for table grapes. He was able to involve the third and fourth generations into the family business.

Ron’s path led him to Fresno State where he earned his degree in animal husbandry in 1957. He next attended Washington State University where he completed his Master of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees in 1963. Dr. Laub turned down a teaching position at Washington State and instead headed north from Fresno on Highway 99 stopping at small towns and calling on veterinarians to see if they needed help. He secured a job in Lodi and in two years bought Lockeford Veterinary Clinic. He relocated the practice until finally building Mokelumne River Veterinary Services in the late 1970s, also in the Lockeford area. For more than 50 years, he was the go-to veterinarian in the community specializing in large animals.

The brothers supported their greater communities with their time, treasure and talent. Don served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life including the Ag One Foundation; county, state and national Farm Bureaus; California Association of Winegrape Growers; the Big Fresno Fair; American Union School Board; Washington Union School Board; and California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class III, to name a few. Ron’s clients and their animals were his top priority. Throughout the years, he mentored many young people, with some going on to become veterinarians. He was affiliated with the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor and taught an animal science class at Delta College in Stockton. He was a past president of the Northern San Joaquin Veterinary Medical Association as well as served on the board for Guild Wineries & Distilleries.

Don was married to Clara for 55 years and passed away on October 20, 2009. Ron was married to Marjorie for 34 years and passed away on July 2, 2021.