Historical Society recognizes 2012 honorees

At their annual meeting and awards event held April 28 at the Fallbrook library, members and guests of the Fallbrook Historical Society celebrated two longtime local residents and learned more about them.

Named Pioneer of the Year for 2012, Jack Parkinson was described as a man who has made “significant contributions as a patriot and member of the community.”

Parkinson, a local resident since 1927 and World War II veteran, led the effort to establish the veteran’s memorial wall in Fallbrook’s Village Square at the corner of Main Ave. and Alvarado St.

“This important addition to the center of the village is a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by Fallbrook patriots and a tribute to Jack’s service to his country and to our village,” said Cecelia Njust, who directed a special message to Parkinson. “We thank you and honor you as Pioneer of the Year.”

Parkinson, born on May 11, 1924 in Boston, was a toddler when his family moved to Fallbrook. One of four boys in his family, Parkinson attended local schools.

“He later worked at Husher’s Market on Main and later for Safeway in several North County locations,” said Njust, in reviewing Parkinson’s biography.

Parkinson was one of 121 Fallbrook men to serve in World War II. After training, he was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia. His service took him to Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and eventually Tokyo Bay. While in Tokyo for the final surrender by Japan, he was reunited with his father, Frank, who had been serving on the USS Neosha, and his brother, Francis, stationed on the USS Iowa. His brother Clayton died during the battle of Guadalcanal.

After returning home to Fallbrook, Parkinson married Pauline Thompson and the couple had three children – Clayton, Robert, and Sandra. He retired from Safeway in 1986 and began volunteering his time at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1924, named for his classmate James Swisher, the first Fallbrook casualty of World War II. He currently serves as the senior vice commander.

Five members of the Parkinson family are recognized on the veteran’s memorial wall in town.

Earning the Vintage Award for 2012 from the historical society at the event was Joellen Beckstrom Maddock. A resident of Fallbrook since right after World War II ended, Maddock has lived here approximately 67 years.

Born Joellen Beckstrom in Westwood (L.A. County) on Oct. 8, 1923, she married John “Jack” Maddock in 1943. With Maddock serving in the U.S. Navy, leaving and returning out of Seattle, Wash., Joellen did her best to support the military life while working herself.

“She told me one Thanksgiving she roasted eight or nine turkeys for the ship’s crew at a place called the Salmon Club; cooking on and in four wood stoves was a real challenge that those wives met with good humor,” Njust told the group.

After the war, the Maddocks found a parcel of property in the Stewart Canyon area of Fallbrook that seemed perfect to plant groves of trees on.

“[The property had] a small house, some usable outbuildings, lemon trees and a few avocados,” explained Njust. “At 80 acres it was $35,000. They bought the property from a Mr. & Mrs. Montgomery, whose actor brother-in-law, Henry Fonda, had built part of the little house.”

Despite many challenges in the first few years, the Maddocks pushed forward with their agricultural endeavor. The couple went on to have five children – Gail, twins Steve and Dave, Garth, and daughter Marla.

“In the early 60s, the Maddocks started propagating citrus and avocados on the Stewart Canyon property and their new acreage on Ranger Road where they built a home in 1964,” said Njust. “This site also became the business address for the nursery (Maddock Nursery) that would become a household name in Fallbrook as a reliable source for healthy trees.

In summary, Njust said, “this California family has been an asset to us all and the Fallbrook Historical Society is proud to honor Joellen, Steve, Dave, and Garth and wishes them well.”

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