Gilroy ’ s Godfather
Don Christopher
“ When I came to Gilroy , I wanted to make it the best in any way I could . I believe in giving where you live and I ’ m a Gilroyan .”
Don Christopher
Don & Karen Christopher at
Don ’ s 80th Birthday Party
Over the past seven decades Don Christopher has not only made Gilroy his home but has made it a better place for all of us who call Gilroy home . He is a successful businessman who believes in giving back to his community . Gilroy is richer because of his support and “ can do ” attitude .
Don was born in San Jose in 1934 . His grandfather , Ole , had immigrated to the Santa Clara Valley from Denmark in the 1880 ’ s and farmed prunes . As a young boy of 7 , Don joined his siblings to work the farm alongside their father , Frank .
He attended Oak Grove Grammar School , joined the 4H Club and graduated from Live Oak High School , where he was student body president and a forward on the school ’ s championship basketball team .
His business sense seemed to be part of his DNA . By the time Don turned 12 , he was setting gopher traps in the field to make a little extra money . As soon as he could drive , he took on a paper route in Capitola .
Being part of a farming family had its interesting moments . Don recalls going with his grandfather , who he remembers looked a bit like a hobo , to a Mercury dealership to help him purchase a car .
“ No one wanted to wait on us because we didn ’ t look like we could afford a car .”
When a salesman finally asked Don ’ s grandfather just how he expected to pay for a car , he replied very matter-of-factly , “ Do you mind cash ?”
Fresh out of San Jose State university in 1956 , Don came home to Gilroy . He wanted to farm , but felt that prunes were a profitable yet boringly predictable business . With a loan from their father , Don and his brother Art purchased 130 acres of farm land and planted lima beans and sugar beets . Don also set aside 10 acres to plant a then not so popular crop , garlic .
In addition to following in his grandfather ’ s and father ’ s footsteps in business , Don also followed them in their interest in education and community . Ole Christopher was a trustee at Oak Grove School District back in the days when trustees dug septic tanks for schools . By the time Don ’ s father became a trustee at the same district , the position was a little less handson but nonetheless important . Between them they served the district for 25 years and their efforts were acknowledged when one of the district ’ s elementary schools took the Christopher name — another tradition that seems to run in the family .
W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 19