Well. The old poop went and did it:

Donald Ray Hefner, a longtime Woodland resident and community booster, died unexpectedly on June 24, 2003. He was 84.

He was born on April 15, 1919, in Oroville, into a family of agriculturists with California roots dating to the 1850s. He attended schools in Oroville and later earned his bachelor's degree from UC Davis, where he was a catcher and captain on the baseball team.

Hefner continued playing baseball for military teams after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in August 1941. He rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He went to work for Spreckels Sugar Company after World War II, remaining in its agriculture department for more than 30 years, the last 12 as district manager.

Hefner, who moved to Woodland in 1946, served as president of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce, the Yolo County YMCA and the local Girl Scout Council. He helped establish the Outstanding Agriculture Business Person of the Year award -- an award he later received himself.

He also played a key roll in the growth of the local Babe Ruth Baseball League, which brought its world series to Woodland in 1964, in the creation of the Nelsons Grove campground and picnic area, and, with other past Chamber presidents, led the rebuilding of the Second Baptist Church after it was destroyed by fire.

After retiring, Hefner also ran several local fund drives for the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Mothers March of Dimes and others.

He enjoyed fishing for salmon and halibut and hunting on land in Alaska passed down in his family since the 1897 gold rush. When poor eyesight and heart disease slowed his Alaska hobbies, he continued to maintain his flower garden.

" Papa Don" will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, his family said.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Ellora Doney, son Lynn Allen, son-in-law Paul Moore III and brother Harold Hefner.

He is survived by his wife Lucille and their children and their families: daughter Donna DeVries, her husband Joe and their children Jeff and Doney; daughter Deborah Moore and her children: Ellora Cooper and her husband Gary, Lisa Sanguinet and her husband Jeff, and Paul IV; son Scott Hefner, his wife Diane and their children: Miles and Kevin; stepson Keith Mannee; stepson Kent Mannee, his wife Dena and their children: Kristina, Ryan and Tamara Cartagena and her husband Robert; daughter-in-law Susan Hefner and her daughter Heidi Lynn; three great grandchildren; and numerous special friends.

As requested by the deceased, no memorial service will be held. His family will celebrate his life at a private gathering.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Woodland Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1207 Fairchild Court, Woodland, CA.

Of course, when they say "By Enterprise staff" what they really mean is "obituary written by the deceased, and edited somewhat by Enterprise staff." Or something like it. No link yet at the Democrat. Maybe tomorrow.