DINUBA, CA - It is with a heavy heart that we report the recent passing of an industry great. California fruit grower Herbert Alvin Kaprielian passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 16.
Born October 28, 1929, to Leon Minas and Ruth Kaloostian Kaprielian, he spent his childhood in Reedley, California. He attended Southern California Military Academy in Long Beach, California, graduating in the Class of 1947. He continued his education at Reedley College and Fresno State College. He made lifelong friends at Reedley College, including Beverly Holmes, whom he married on June 28, 1952.
After Kaprielian’s honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1955, they moved to the family farm east of Reedley, where they raised four children. In 1980, the family relocated to Beverly and Kaprielian’s dream home on Smith Mountain near Dinuba, CA.
Kaprielian was part of a family owned business founded in 1919 by brothers Leon and Gabriel Kaprielian in the practice of growing, packing, and marketing fresh California fruit. The family farming business benefited greatly from Kaprielian’s leadership—he expanded the packing facility, started a sales and cold storage company, and was instrumental in designing and implementing new packing equipment and procedures as well as new methods for maintaining freshness in fruit delivered to stores across the U.S. and abroad.
Kaprielian was active on various boards and committees of the California Fresh Fruit Association, California Tree Fruit Agreement, the Bank of Fresno, and the Fresno Business Council. He was one of the three founding partners of Tommy's Pump Company (now Carver Pump Company).
Kaprielian is survived by his daughter Cheryl Mooradian (Michael), grandchildren Nicole (Thraen), Alicia (Marc), Gabrielle (Andrew); son Craig Kaprielian (Lorrel), grandchildren Bianca (Deborah), Christian, Charlotte, Angelica (Gregg), Florencia (Geoffrey), great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Adam; daughter Jenifer Santos (Victor), grandchildren Elliott, Claire; daughter-in-law Dawn Kaprielian, grandchildren Kara (Brett), Richard (Angie), and great-granddaughter Vivian.
Kaprielian was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beverly; his parents; sister, Darlene Rowland; beloved son, Richard; and daughter-in-law, Donna Aivazian Kaprielian.
Remembrances may be made in Kaprielian’s name to: Leon M. Kaprielian Memorial Scholarship, Reedley College Foundation. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Our hearts go out to all those experiencing this great loss.
