Clyde Andrew Blundell

It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Clyde Andrew Blundell passed on July 13, 2023. A lifelong resident of Potter Valley, California, Clyde passed peacefully at his home at the age of 69, surrounded by his loving family.  Clyde was born to Andrew “Rusty” Blundell and his wife Helen Blundell in Ukiah, California.  Clyde’s family was one of the original pioneers in Potter Valley, who homesteaded in 1857.  That made Clyde a fifth generation resident of the valley.  Clyde attended the local grammar and high schools until he graduated and attended College of the Redwoods, majoring in diesel mechanics.  Clyde’s proudest accomplishment from that chapter of his life was being part of a crew that built the “Thermo King Streamliner,” which set the world’s land speed record for a diesel-powered motor of 236 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats.  That stunning record held for an outstanding 26 years, from 1973 until 2019.  After college, Clyde married his beautiful wife Shareen Hilt on July 6, 1974. Together they raised three children: Joleen, Carly and Andrew “Drew.” 

     Clyde was a man of many talents, which he honed over many decades of experience.  He grew up working for his father’s construction company, while simultaneously working on the family cattle ranch with his uncle, Jim Eddie. He put his diesel mechanic education to work, spending many years working in the local lumber industry as a millwright for Louisiana Pacific, Keene Pallet Mill, and finally ending his millwright career at Masonite mill in Ukiah.  Clyde began a new chapter in his life when he started working for Caltrans in 1999. He began as a maintenance equipment operator, working primarily at the Willits Maintenance Yard.  Clyde then advanced to the position of Lead Worker for the crew when he had an opportunity to change departments to Caltrans Construction.  There he worked as an inspector on Caltrans Highway projects in both Mendocino and Lake County.  Clyde was working as a permit inspector in 2019 when he finally retired after twenty years of service with Caltrans.  

Clyde’s day job was always second to his love of farming and ranching.  Building on the experiences from his youth, Clyde started his own cattle herd on the family ranch.  In 2004 he inherited his grandmother's ranch, where he grew his herd and began making hay with his own equipment.  Clyde also relished in the challenge of rebuilding, maintaining, and fixing used tractors and other heavy equipment on the ranch.  Everyone knew he loved spending time working in, and on, his shop.  In the last years of his life, the shop was always the first place you could look for Clyde. 

Clyde was one of a kind, and had a presence that could not be ignored.  He and Shareen instilled both their strong work ethic and their passion for their community in their children.  Clyde was a volunteer on the Potter Valley Rodeo Committee for 46 years, as well as a Board Member.  He was recently honored as the 2023 Potter Valley Rodeo Grand Marshal for his dedication and service to the committee.  During his tenure on the rodeo board, the rodeo, which started at Brown Ranch, was moved two different times.  Every time there was a change of location there was a lot of work in logistics and physically transferring the grounds.  Clyde helped with both.  Clyde was instrumental in the acquisition of the Main Street property, where the rodeo grounds is still located today, and was one of the founding members of the Potter Valley Community Parks and Recreation, who oversees the grounds.  In addition to his volunteer work with the rodeo, Clyde also served many years on the Potter Valley Irrigation District Board and was a member of the Potter Valley Methodist Church. 

Clyde is survived by his wife of 49 years, Shareen Blundell, and his three children; Joleen (Chris “Critter”) Logan, Carly (Jose) Carrillo, and Drew (Kendra) Blundell.  He also boasts six grandchildren; Luke, Grace and Eli Logan, Rhett and Ethan Blundell, and Quincy Carrillo.  Clyde is also survived by his two brothers, Clay (Sue) Blundell and Kevin (Diana) Blundell. Clyde was predeceased by his parents, Rusty and Helen Blundell.

 A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Potter Valley Cemetery at 10am.  A Celebration of Life and reception will follow at the Potter Valley Rodeo Grounds; 10747 Main St., Potter Valley.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Potter Valley Community Parks and Recreation (P.O. Box 247, Potter Valley, CA 95469) in his name.