<p><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/kophamertn080113.jpg" alt="images8-1" />Retired Kern County farmer Maurice Kophamer passed away at his home in Lookout Mountain, Georgia on July 14, 2013 at the age of 91.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He began his growing career on leased land around what is now known as the Santa Anita Race Track.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He moved his operation to Wheeler Ridge, CA in the late 60’s and established himself in the sweet corn business. There he packed sweet corn for himself as well as for corn grown by Kern County Land Co.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He was one of the first carrot growers in the Cuyama Valley. He built a carrot shed in Arvin, CA which he later sold to fellow farmers. At that time the carrot shed became known as Kern Ridge Growers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He also became one of the first in Kern County to grow and sell lettuce, on a contract basis to processing operations such as ReadyPac for bagged lettuce.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Kophamer grew onions out of Bakersfield as well, an operation which he ran with his son Doug and grandson Levi. He established an onion packing operation in El Centro, CA and a onion shed in Idaho, allowing his Kops Tops label to provide onions year round. He had onion operations in West Texas and the Phoenix, Arizona area. Impressively, he was one of the first individuals to import Chilean Onions into the United States.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th St., Bakersfield, Calif.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Survivors include his wife, Jan Hyde Kophamer; a sister, Arly Barton; and sons, Scott Kophamer and Douglas Kophamer.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bakersfield/obituary.aspx?n=maurice-carl-kophamer&pid=166065156#fbLoggedOut" target="_new">Obituary Report</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
