John Morse

Personal History

My grandparents, Paul C. and Ina Morse moved to Sheep Ranch in 1933. My father, Paul J. was 17 and when he enrolled at Calaveras High he became the bus driver. My mother, Julie “Dudie” Price was raised in West Point and Rail Road Flat, attending school in Rail Road with Tom Taylor and Jess Mechling. She also attended Calaveras High and became a nurse. My parents married 1938 and raised their family in Sheep Ranch. I was born in Calaveras County. I grew up in Sheep Ranch with my brothers, Arlin and Calvin, and sisters, Sundae and Paulie.

I was the last student to graduate from Sheep Ranch Elementary School before it closed from lack of students. In 1964 I graduated from Calaveras High. I proudly served four years in the Air Force as a fireman during the Vietnam War. After serving my country, I was accepted at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science.

Janis Woodfield and I were married in the Mountain Ranch Town Hall by Jerry Meyers in 1972. We divorced after 20 years. Our son Robin graduated from USC last May. He now works for USC in Student Affairs.

After 17 years in tomato cannery management, I bought and operated profitably a mail/shipping business for 6 years. Then, after beating lymphoma, I moved back home to Sheep Ranch, planted a vineyard, and became an accidental machinist.

In January of 2005 I met Deena Guido. After discovering she makes better apple pie than my mother, we got engaged. We both enjoy making new friends and renewing long ago friendships.