To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF RON NUNN, HIS ENDURING SPIRIT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BRENTWOOD AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF RON NUNN, HIS ENDURING SPIRIT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BRENTWOOD AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
BACKGROUND:
None
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
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IN THE MATTER OF RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF RON NUNN, HIS ENDURING SPIRIT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BRENTWOOD AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, Ron Nunn dedicated his life to the town of Brentwood, California, where his family settled in 1884, establishing a legacy that now spans six generations; and
WHEREAS, a proud graduate of Liberty High School in 1951, Ron excelled in multiple varsity sports, including track and field, basketball, and football, setting numerous school records as a running back, and continued his football career at Stanford University and the College of the Pacific, where he met his beloved wife, Shirley Ann Johnston; and
WHEREAS, Ron’s athletic prowess led him to play semi-professional football with the Antioch Hornets. He married Shirley on January 21, 1956, just before he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, upon returning to Brentwood, Ron and Shirley built a loving family, raising three children: Lindsey, Laura and Bob, and later welcoming three grandchildren: Laura Jeff and Olivia; and
WHEREAS, Ron had a passion for farming, winemaking, fast cars, flying, skiing, and local history, which enriched the lived of those around him. Ron also served the community as a member of the Brentwood Union School District Board, where his contributions were recognized with the naming of Ron Nunn Elementary School in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Ron expanded the use of his land into the largest natural gas producing field in the state at that time, and demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit through real estate development and a 38-year partnership with Blackhawk Corporation, ultimately creating Blackhawk Nunn, which has developed over 5,000 homes in some of Brentwood’s most sought-after neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Ron was a collaborator and advocate for those committed to farming, and invested tremendous time, resources and passion into negotiating with multiple government agencies to increase agricultural tourism opportunities. Later in life, Ron continued to expand his farming operations through partnerships, which has evolved in the management of several thousand acres of farmland, a wide variety of orchard and row crops, including the largest wine grape operation in Contra Costa County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, honor the life and legacy of Ron Nunn, celebrating his contribution to Brentwood and the lasting impact he made on his family, friends, and the community.
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