Oldfather, Lori Ann

Lori Ann Oldfather, 50, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2013, at her home in Lodi, Calif.

She was born Dec. 3, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Paul and Jeanette Oldfather. Lori grew up in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Clear Creek High School in Tiffin in 1981. After high school, she attended Iowa State University studying Wild Life Management and completed her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology at California State University San Bernardino in 1988. In 1989, she earned a Certificate of Completion in Law Enforcement from Napa Valley College and was hired into the first Resource Academy for Game Wardens. Her first position was as the North Stockton Game Warden in San Joaquin County and the she spent a majority of her career as the Lodi area Game Warden. Her specialties included environmental crimes, water pollution and threatened endangered species. Lori was one of six handlers to go through the California Department of Fish and Game's very first K-9 Academy in January 2008. Lori graduated with her first K-9, “Louie,” a yellow Labrador retriever. Later, after Louie retired, Lori worked with her second K-9, “Jin” who was also a yellow Labrador retriever. Lori was greatly missed by her fellow handlers when she had to leave the program to focus on her health. She was well known and well liked throughout her district. She retired after 25 years of service to the California Department of Fish and Game.

Her love of the outdoors was reflected not only in her career but her hobbies as well. She was an enthusiastic participant in the “California Becoming an Outdoor-Woman” activities. She loved fishing, hunting and all things dogs and horses. For many years, Lori spent her summers as a backcountry cook and wrangler at Rock Creek Pack Station. She always had a grin from ear to ear and shared her enthusiasm of the backcountry and life in general with the guests. She spent the rest of her life improving her fishing skills as she had a passion for trying to catch fish and loved to share that passion. How do you describe Lori's enthusiasm? With a smile and a zest for life!

Lori is survived by parents of Oxford; her brother, Daniel Oldfather of Morgan City, La.; her sister, Cynthia (Kirk) McCollough of Webster City; her nieces and nephews, Jason Oldfather, Ryan Oldfather, Jaret Oldfather, Cory Oldfather, Hanna Oldfather, Mac McCollough and Kate McCollough; her children, Sammie the dog, BC the cat and Reggie, her trusty steed; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Lori was preceded in death by her brother, David Oldfather; and her niece, Brook Oldfather.

A celebration of life will be held March 29 in Lodi, Calif., please email 2moonranch.com for info.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to her parents for a memorial.

Published in The Gazette March 20, 2013.