Born Jan. 24, 1928 in Woodland to Fannie and Joe Borba, Joe Lawrence Borba passed away August 31st at home due to residual complications from Covid surrounded by his family. He was a very successful lifelong farmer in Yolo county raising a family of five children on his Winters ranch with his wife Donna. He was a private pilot and aircraft owner from the age of 19 until he hung up his wings 11 years ago. He had flown his family around the United States a couple of times to see the wonders of the USA. Most memorable was flying up close to the faces of the presidents at Mount Rushmore, and the Grand Canyon. He was a machinist, mechanical engineer, and inventor of many agricultural implements and orchard harvesting equipment which evolved into a side venture. There wasn’t anything that he could not design or build. Antique cars were a passion of which he restored several. He had restored an aircraft at his farm shop in his later years that flew like a dream. A few times over the years he had a small fleet of trucks to haul tomatoes and gravel. Travel was a big part of his life with a few trips to Europe and many miles across the nation in his motorhome with Donna. This included many Elks club Tale Ender trips. He is survived by his wife Donna of 67 years, his children Judy Hayes, Patsy Bennett (Mark), Steve Borba (Debra), Stan Borba (Dawne), and James Borba. Also survived by a generation of 13 grandchildren and a never-ending supply of great-grandchildren. “Papa” will be missed by all of us. A private graveside service was held with a later celebration of life to be announced.
