Harold DePalma, age 87, passed away on August 13, 2013.  Harold was born on February 6, 1926 in San Francisco , CA.  He lived in San Francisco until he was 12 years old, then moved to Ballico, CA where he farmed grapes, sweet potatoes, peaches, and almonds until his passing.  Harold graduated from Ballico School in 1940, then from Livingston High School in 1944.  He kept up his interest in his alma mater by attending many school events during his daughter’s time as a student and as a teacher now.  Harold served in the Army Air Corp from 1944-1946 at stations in Wisconsin, Florida, and California.  He was a member of and involved in the following organizations:   Ballico-Cressey School Board for 32 years, Merced County School Board Association, Ballico Soil Conservation, Ballico Recreation Dept., Ballico Volunteer Fire Dept., Blue Diamond grower over 46 years, American Legion Post 668 for 64 years, and SIRS-Turlock.  He earned the following awards:  Merced County resident for over 50 years, and Ballico Man of the Year. Harold traveled to Europe, China, Australia, Central America, and throughout the United States with his family.  He even climbed to the top of Ayers Rock in Australia when he was 75.  He was the neighbor you could depend on if you needed help fixing something or needed to borrow a tractor.   He loved to play solitaire, card games and board games with family and friends. Harold did not have any grandchildren, but many of the students at Ballico-Cressey knew him as ‘the pancake man’ because he used to volunteer once a month at the schools and cooked pancakes for the students.  He is survived by his wife Ann of 46 years, one daughter Rose DePalma of Hilmar, and his beloved dogs Lily, Penny, Stella Bella, and Dusty.   Visitation will be at Allen Mortuary on Wednesday, Aug. 21st from 3-7 pm and a Rosary and funeral mass will be at Holy Rosary Church in Hilmar on Thursday, Aug. 22nd at 10 am.  Burial will be San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella at 1:30 pm. Donations can be made to Holy Rosary Building Fund or your favorite charit Please leave memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com