Christian Rene Crouzet

Christian Crouzet of Porterville, CA, passed away at the age of 80 on April 17th, 2026, in Irvine, CA.

Christian was born on June 4th, 1945, in Tasque, France, to Jean-Paul and Micheline Crouzet. He was raised in Madiran, France, at Chateau de Perron, where the family operated a winery alongside various crops and livestock, an upbringing that shaped his lifelong passion for agriculture. In 1968, he immigrated to New York to study winemaking in the Finger Lakes area at Gold Seal Vineyards. After briefly working in Iowa, he had the opportunity to come to California. In 1972 he came to Terra Bella to manage a vineyard, where he was introduced to drip irrigation for crops. Shortly after, he began farming on his own land near Porterville.

Embracing these new opportunities and the American dream, he became a United States citizen in 1977. Over the years he grew olives, plums, Asian pears, nectarines and cherries. Currently, he was farming mandarins, table grapes, almonds, and grapefruit. In 1981, he started Crouzet Irrigation, designing, selling, and installing irrigation systems for agriculture. In 1988, he married Shelly Zaninovich, and together they built a life rooted in family and hard work. In 1990, he recognized a need for an irrigation parts store and opened Crouzet Irrigation Supply off of Highway 65. These two irrigation businesses, along with his personal farming, were his true passions, contributing immensely to the Central Valley's agricultural community.

A man of deep faith and strong character, Christian was devoted to his Catholic faith and his family. He also enjoyed many other interests, including reading, history and politics, gardening, traveling with his family, and being a charismatic Frenchman. He was a hard worker all his life, yet always made time for family and friends. It was always evident how deeply he loved and valued people in his life. Those who knew him well will remember his answer to how he was doing: "marvelous," "maravilloso," or "merveilleux."

Christian is survived by his mother, Micheline who turned 100 in January; his two loving siblings, Isabelle and Richard; his devoted wife of 38 years, Shelly; three children, Chantal and husband William, Christian and wife Jasmine, Pierre and wife Irie; and his three grandchildren, Lucas, Beatrice, and Alessia, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jean-Paul.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 from 4-7pm at Myers Chapel in Porterville, CA, including a Rosary at 6pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2026 at 11am at Holy Cross Church in Porterville, CA. Followed by burial at St. Anne's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christian's memory to Saint Anne's Parish (378 N. F St., Porterville, CA 93257, ATTN: Parish Donation) or Saint Anne's School (378 N. F St., Porterville, CA 93257, ATTN: School Donation) in Porterville, CA.

To share a memory, or express condolences to the family, please visit the obituaries section of our website at www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries <http://www.myersfuneral.com/obituaries>. Myers Funeral Service & Crematory in Porterville is in charge of arrangements.