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01/09/2019 - Porterville, CA, USA

Gratian Dominic Bidart, lovingly known as Tachi to his grandchildren and many friends, saddled up for the last time and rode into Heaven's Green Pastures on January 9, 2019, at the age of 88, while surrounded by family. 

Gratian was born in Covina, California on June 27, 1930 to Basque parents, Martin and Anna Bidart, who arrived in America from France with his older sister only 18 days before his birth. Gratian was the second of four children and grew up in Orange County where he attended Mission School in San Juan Capistrano and Tustin High School.

Gratian was born into the Basque family tradition and business of sheepherding and left school in 10th grade to support the family business after an injury to his father. At age 18 he caught the eye of an unsuspecting Basque girl by the name of Yvonne Nogues. They married in 1951 and shared a beautiful love together that was like no other for the next 67½ years. 

They were blessed with three daughters Joann, Debbie, and Gracie and 11 years later surprised their friends and family with their son, Gratian. 

While continuing the family business of running sheep he also began raising cattle and farming grain in 1951. He grew his cattle business to over 1,000 head and ran livestock on various ranches including Coto de Caza, the Grady Glen, the Whiting, the Moulton Ranch, and the Irvine Ranch. 

He ranched and farmed in Orange County until development forced his lifestyle and family to the San Joaquin Valley. In 1976, they relocated to their current home ranch on Deer Creek in Porterville, California. He continued to raise cattle, grain, and a few sheep keeping his heritage alive until his passing.

In addition to endless hours of working with livestock and farming, he was an active member of the St. Nicholas Parish Council, El Toro Volunteer Fire Department, Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees, Laguna Hills Rotary Club, Elks Club, proud member of the El Viaje de Portola, and active in Orange County conservative politics. 

He was a man of strong Catholic faith, vision, hard work, love of land and animals, and unconstrained adoration of his family. He took great pride in his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who brought him much joy and happiness. 

A self-made man that was not only strong-minded but also strong willed and never afraid to stand up and fight for what he believed in. Tachi was an avid hunter, fisherman, loved traveling and exploring the United States, and was always ready for a good game of gin. 

Not only was he a master of three languages: Basque, English, and Spanish, but had the innate ability to fix any fence, gate, or piece of equipment with nothing more than a few strands of bailing twine. If he was not enjoying an escape in Pismo Beach, he could always be found roaming the ranch on his ATV "The Cucaracha" making sure everyone was working or at A-L Welding sharing stories with his buddies. 

He is survived by his bride of 67½ years, Yvonne; brother, Martin Bidart; daughters, Joann Egan, Debbie Prescott (Tom) and Gracie Rogers (Tom); son, Gratian Bidart (Megan); 12 grandchildren, Nikki, Robbie, Renee, Diane, Paul, Joe, Amy, Christine, Laura, Gratian, Dominic, and Addison; 17 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Noelie Changala and Jeanette Nogues, and son-in-law Mike Egan. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM with a Holy Rosary to follow at 6:00 PM at Myers Funeral. Funeral Mass will be Friday, January 18th at 11:00 AM at St. Anne's Catholic Church. Interment to follow at St. Anne's Cemetery. The family would like to thank Optimal Hospice Care – Visalia and especially Tim Short, for support and genuine compassion extended to the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anne's School in Porterville, California. To sign the family guest book or send condolences please go to www.myersfuneral.com. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.

(published in The Porterville Recorder, Legacy.com on Jan. 15, 2019)