John Henry Enos
September 27, 1940 – May 19, 2026

John Henry Enos, 85, of Ferndale, passed away on May 19, 2026, leaving behind a legacy rooted in family, farming, community service, and friendship.

John was born on September 27, 1940, at the Hospitality House in Fortuna, to Cedric and Agnes Enos. Family lore recalled that after Agnes climbed all the stairs to the maternity ward, her water broke, and her fifth child, John Henry, was born.

John grew up on the family dairy on the Island near Goble Lane with three brothers and three sisters. Before tractors became common, much of the farm work was done with the family’s workhorses — Bess, Tom, Oscar, Bill and King. As children, the Enos siblings once hitched two sheep to a toy wagon and promptly crashed into a neighbor’s car, leaving a dent and a lasting family story.

Many cherished childhood memories were made at the family’s cabin in Camp Weott, where crabbing and fishing trips brought the family together. The devastating flood of 1955 forever changed those traditions. One Christmas morning during the flood, the children awoke to find their presents floating in several inches of water downstairs.

John’s education began at the one-room Island School. In 1947, he and his siblings began riding the bus to Assumption Catholic School, where the nuns taught four grades in a single classroom. As a boy, John hauled firewood for Father Minogue and was paid in candy. By the age of ten, he was milking cows and raising calves. His first calf, named Easter because she was born on Easter Sunday, launched his years in 4-H and showing livestock at local fairs.

At Ferndale High School, John participated in Future Farmers of America and raised market lambs. During those years, he milked his own cows and shipped milk to Valley Flower Creamery with producer number 435 on the cans. He graduated with the Ferndale High School Class of 1959. His senior yearbook quote was simple and unforgettable: “How important can it be?”

Farming was not just John’s livelihood — it was his passion. He spent decades haying, irrigating pastures, raising calves and caring for dairy cattle, continuing a family tradition established by both of his grandfathers in Cape Town and Bear River.

John’s first dairy operation was on Camp Weott Road after he married Alice Weimore. Their children, Manuel and Mary, were born during those years. The family later moved to Orland, California, taking along Easter the cow, where sons John Joseph and Ivan were born. Following the devastating 1964 flood, John returned to Ferndale and leased a dairy near Goble Lane.

For more than 60 years, John milked cows twice daily, seven days a week. His milk was shipped first to Valley Flower Creamery, later to Humboldt Creamery, and eventually to Rumiano Cheese. Between milkings, he also worked for Yancey Feed Company, delivering feed throughout the area.

Remarkably, during 65 years of working around livestock and heavy equipment, John never suffered a broken bone or required a joint replacement. Though a bull once pinned him against a barn wall and he burned his arm repairing a tractor in the 1970s, he recovered from both. His favorite tractor was always an Oliver.

A few days each year were reserved for trips with friends to the farm show in Tulare. After six decades in the dairy industry, John retired from milking cows and moved into Ferndale with his longtime partner of 38 years, Diane Redding.

Retirement simply meant different work. John became a devoted gardener and backyard chicken farmer. He enjoyed raising peas, beans, tomatoes and especially corn. He remained active in the community through Rotary, Native Sons of the Golden West, and washed dishes for the Seniors and the Ivanhoe Restaurant, and participated in numerous local projects.

Through a Rotary project, John collected aluminum pull tabs for children battling cancer. This past winter alone, his Dr. Honda received more than 7,000 tabs in donation from John.

John joined Native Sons of the Golden West when he turned 18 and remained an active member throughout his life, serving a term as president and proudly carrying the large American flag in local parades. During the Humboldt County Fair he raised the flag before every racing day for more than 50 years. Membership in the Jockey Club provided many more opportunities to volunteer and stay involved.

Throughout his life, John could often be found visiting with friends at the Blue Room, Becker’s, Papa Joe’s and the Pizza Company. He enjoyed countless card games, including rummy with his children and later scat and Pedro with friends.

John proudly embraced his Swiss-Italian and Portuguese heritage. Sausage-making was a lifelong tradition, and he likely attended nearly every Portuguese Festa held in Ferndale. His grandfather, Antone Enos, was among the early organizers of those celebrations.

Known for his collection of caps and shirts featuring humorous sayings, John never lacked a conversation starter. He took great joy in watching his six grandchildren grow up in Ferndale. One especially meaningful moment came when his Ferndale High School Golden Graduate recognition coincided with the graduation of one of his granddaughters. He was equally delighted when three of his great-grandchildren moved back to town and lived just two blocks away.

Although he never flew in an airplane or helicopter, John loved hearing stories about the Azores and the old country from family and friends. In his final months, he enjoyed western television programs, horse racing, ice cream, Squirt soda, visits with family and friends, and reflecting on a life well lived.

After all, as John always said, “How important can it be?”

John is survived by his partner, Diane Reading; sons Manuel (Julie) Enos, Joe (Peggy) Enos, Ivan Enos, and Dennis Reading; daughter Mary Enos-Lenardo; sister Celia (Jim) Titus; brothers William (Donna) Enos and George (Kay) Enos; grandchildren Kevin, Shawna, Bernadette, Bradley (Tricia) Lenardo, Janice (Kevin) Enos, and Francis (Rachel) Enos; great-grandchildren Bradley Jr., Casey, and Charlotte Lenardo, and Kaileigh Hochstrat; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cedric and Agnes Enos; brother Tony Enos; and sisters Mary A. Enos and Rose Enos Johnson.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate John’s life at noon on July 18, 2026, at the Portuguese Hall on Ocean Avenue in Ferndale. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ferndale.

John will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever a part of the community he cherished.