It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Roy Jura on September 5th, 2018. Along with his wife Betty and his three children, he made the decision to first donate five, then ten acres of the Jura family farmland along the San Joaquin River to Aquarius Aquarium Institute for the construction of the Fresno Aquarium.
Roy’s parents were naturalized immigrants from Maschito, Polenza, Italy who raised their five children on the family farm in Fresno. After graduating from Fresno State College with a degree in Agriculture, Roy married Betty Jane Wood in 1950 and continued farming as they raised their own children, Scott, Teri and Keith.
Roy was active in many organizations including the Fresno State Viticulture Club, California Fig Advisory Board, Dried Fruit Association of California and the Fresno Trade Club. He was also a founding member of Regency Bank and attained the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus.
Aquarius Aquarium Institute Charter Members will always remember the fun Charter Member dinners on the front lawn of the Jura residence, just downstream from the Fresno Aquarium property and the enthusiastic support that Roy had for the Aquarium project from its very beginnings.
Roy is survived by his loving wife Betty, his three children, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and his fun-loving personality will be greatly missed.