It saddens us to announce the passing of our beloved father, Harold Owens Hough, (Hough, as many called him) on May 2, 2020 at his beloved home in Petrolia, the Hough Ranch, at the age of 91.

He was born March 2, 1929 in Martinez, California where he attended school and then went into the Marine Corp. as a 17-year-old serving two years. Soon after coming home to the Mattole Valley where his parents settled, met and married Lorraine Anderson Hough, the mother of his children and lived at the Hough family ranch in the valley. They had their two boys while living at the ranch and then moved to Fortuna before their two daughters were born.

Harold worked for Humboldt County on a road crew while living in the valley and after moving to Fortuna worked a short time for Metropolitan Life, following in his father’s footsteps. Dad decided selling insurance was not for him and he started his career with P G & E in 1965 as a meter reader, advancing through several positions and promoted to manager in Garberville, then Willow Creek, and retiring in 1984. After retirement he moved back to the family ranch, gardening, fishing and hunting which were his passions in life. He was able to complete the last item on his bucket list in October of last year by going moose hunting at the age of 90 in Newfoundland. Arluk Outfitters said, “he was the oldest and most spry hunter they ever had”, and Dad was proud of the comment. His trophy moose horns are displayed on his wall today. He was a member of the Eel River Masonic Lodge No. 147.

Harold is predeceased by his parents, Harold and Edith Hough, his brother Robert Hough, and the mother of his children and first wife, Lorraine Hough. After Lorraine’s passing, he married his high school sweetheart, from Crockett, Beverly Hough. He also lost his beloved granddaughter, Hillary Hough in 1997.

Hough, (as many called him), is survived by his children, Bill (Loretta) Hough, Frank (Cheryl) Hough, Barb (Linn) Hough-Sisson and Sandy (Darrell) Gilmore. Grandchildren, Mark (Staci) Hough, Jimmy (Cari) Murray, Brian (Natalie) Sisson, Bret Rinehart, Nick (Heather) Rinehart, Jessica (Raphael) Cervantes and Ross Hough. Harold is a great-grandfather of 21, a great-great grandfather of two, uncle of Cliff Eakins, and has many other relatives.

Dad’s family would like to thank Judy who traveled from Bloomfield, Iowa in December to help him plant his garden, build a little green house and not mind doing other chores as Dad was getting tired. It was very comforting to know she was there so he could live in the comfort of his home until the end of his life, as this was his wish.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic a celebration will be held at the Hough Ranch later.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Harold Hough’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.