Karl J. Hackamack, 78, passed away Sept. 20 after a brief illness. Karl moved to Watsonville, Calif., from Los Angeles with his parents and brother in 1950. He graduated from Watsonville High School with the class of 1952. He spent 31 years with the City of Watsonville and worked the last seven years with the Monterey Regional Waste Management District in Marina where he retired.

He spent 40 years team roping with his lovely wife at his side and traveled weekly to ropings all over California, Oregon and Nevada. Once he hung up his rope, they bought a fifth wheel travel trailer and continued to see the country and went as far as the East Coast to visit their son and friends.  

They also belonged to a local trailer club and enjoyed many adventures close to home with the group.

 He leaves behind his lovely wife Charlotte of 57 years; his children Karl Hackamack Jr. (Ila) of Watsonville, Wayne of South Carolina and Toni (Manny) Martinez of Hollister; Ruby Hackamack, his sister-in- law in Torrance, Calif., as well as many nieces and nephews.

 Karl was an active member of AHP and helped with the building of many of the buildings that you see today at the fairgrounds for the Agricultural History Project.

In Karl’s memory, donations may be made to the Agricultural History Project, PO Box 1181, Watsonville, CA 95077, or to your favorite charity.

On Nov. 6, a celebration of life will be held at the Pajaro Valley Memorial Park, 127 Hecker Pass Road in Watsonville, 95076.

Karl J. Hackamack