The memory of Dave Luis will live on.

On Saturday, April 24, the former Clinton School Farm at 21033 N. Ripon Road was officially renamed the Dave Luis Agricultural Education Facility.

“The renaming and dedication of the Agricultural Education Center to honor Dave was a tremendous event and required a great deal of work and perseverance by the Ripon High Ag Department, the Ag Advisory Committee, and Ripon Unified Board of Trustees,” said Joe Luis.

He spoke on behalf of his late nephew Dave Luis, who passed away in 2016 – memories included Dave’s 26 years of service for the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, where he was firefighter, captain and chief officer; his 23 years of coaching youth football in Ripon; and helping youngsters with their 4-H or FFA projects.

“Dave truly loved working with and mentoring Ripon youth and was a swine leader for more than 20 years,” Joe Luis said.

RHS ag students Alyssa and Dawson Donich along with ag teacher Sheri Johns, Dave’s brother Dan Luis – he represented the Luis family – district officials Superintendent Ziggy Robeson and Trustee Kit Oase, and members of the family including Dave’s wife, Clarice, were in attendance.

The school farm is 80 acres of land – purchased in the 1990s – featuring a barn with accommodations for farm animals, a craftsman-style two-bedroom farm house, and farming area coupled with an almond orchard. 

From Ripon Consolidated District Fire Chief Dennis Bitters to the Ripon Unified school board, the naming of the school farm honoring Luis was a no brainer.

“Dave was a graduate of Ripon High and spent his life in agriculture,” said Bitters in his letter of support for the late firefighter.

Trustees took the proper channels in the name-change of the former Clinton School Farm, referring to the advisory committee before unanimously voting on the name change.