Gar & Esther Tootelian Biography

Gar Tootelian and Esther Bedoian were born and raised in Fresno County. Gar attended Reedley High School and Esther graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor of Arts in education.

In July 1944, Gar and Esther were married and made their home in Reedley where they farmed grapes and tree fruit. In 1948, they founded an agricultural chemical and fertilizer retail business - Gar Tootelian, Inc. They built their family and business on the same foundation they were raised on and believed that their strong family values and hard work would sustain them into the future.

Gar was a past president of the Orange Cove Lions Club, a charter member of Eagles, a Toastmaster, a lifetime member of the Reedley Historical Society, honorary member of Reedley Young Farmers, a founding member of Independent Agribusiness Professionals, and a past council member of the Episcopal and Armenian churches in Reedley. The Western Agricultural Crop Association (Western Plant Health Association) honored him with a lifetime achievement award in 1993 and the Reedley Chamber of Commerce recognized Gar as the 2002 Businessman of the Year.

Gar Tootelian, Inc. still prospers as one of California’s oldest and largest independent agricultural chemical & fertilizer retailers and serves Central Valley farmers from Kern to Madera County.