STONYFORD, CA (MPG) - Phil and Jacque made their home in Stonyford and were warmly welcomed into the Community.

Phil had an exuberant personality and Jacque his calm loving partner. Phil passed away in July 2021; Jacque still lives in Stonyford on the ranch that Phil had purchased in 1975.

Phil had many jobs growing up in Northern California: He was a bicycle messenger on the streets of San Francisco, held bread and milk routes, worked as a fire fighter for the California Division of Forestry, owned the bar & restaurant in Stonyford, and was a service writer for a Toyota dealership. While work was important to him, his passion was riding motorcycles. He was an ardent hobbyist. He built, repaired, and rode motorcycles for many years around the nation and the world. He was known by his racing name “Fildirt” and his number, “4Q.”

In 1983 Phil turned his hobby into a business when he purchased the Honda motorcycle dealership in Modesto. This dealership—Honda-Kawasaki-KTM of Modesto— was his passion. He operated it for thirty-three years.

Jacque grew up in Hawaii and California, where she first met Phil in the early 1970s. Jacque later moved to Minnesota and worked at Schwan’s Sales Enterprises as an accountant. She moved back to California, where she reconnected with Phil in the 1990s. They married in 2003 and Jacque then worked at the Honda-Kawasaki-KTM shop.

In 2005-2007, Phil and Jacque built their dream home on the 4Q ranch property in Stonyford.

They were both active in local affairs, especially the Stony Creek Horsemen’s Association. Phil worked as part of the arena ground crew for many years; his last rodeo was 2021. Jacque is an active member. She paints lettering on fence signs and works where needed on rodeo days. She is also very active with the Stonyford Museum and the Community Church.

They have no children together, but both have families from other marriages. Jacque has five children and five grandchildren all living in the Midwest. Her daughter Lorna Langr and her granddaughter, Gabrielle DeSmet, will be riding with her in the Grand Marshal Surrey during the parade and the rodeo dedication. Phil has a daughter, Barbara, son-in-law, Anthony, and two grandsons living in Denair, California. His son, Billy, passed away in 2007.