Ira Lee Sullivan, former resident of Hillsboro, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 at home in El Sobrante, Calif.

He was born in Ontario, Wis., on Aug. 9, 1932 to Delbert “Toots” and Vera Sullivan. He attended and graduated from Hillsboro High School. Ira served in the U.S. Navy in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. He worked as a truck driver for A.H. Thompson Paint Co., Berkley, until his retirement in 1998, and also worked as a farrier.  He was an honorary lifetime member of the California State Horsemen’s Association, where he was a gymkhana judge for over 30 years; Tri-Cities Horsemen’s Association; and Bayview Horsemen’s Association.  He was an excellent horseman, and much loved by his family, animals, and all those he came in contact with. Ira touched the lives of so many.

Ira is survived by his daughter, Shawn (Michael) DeMello of El Sobrante; sister, Emme Stoddard of Hillsboro; brother, Nick Sullivan of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Katie and Jared DeMello, both of El Sobrante; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary, in 2012; a son, Michael, in 1982; and his parents, Delbert and Vera Sullivan.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Sunset View Mortuary in El Cerrito, Calif. Interment was at Sunset View Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to  the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. Email: apda@apdaparkinson.org.