When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.

John Whitney Ormsby Sr., 97, of Tracy died Friday at Tracy Convalescent Hospital. 

Mr. Ormsby was a native of Petaluma. He lived in Tracy 73 years. He retired in 1971 after a career with the Plain View Water District; he was a water master. Earlier he worked for the Banta-Carbona Water District. He was a farmer before going to work for the water districts. 

He is survived by his wife, Davie Ormsby of Tracy; children, John Ormsby Jr. of Sacramento, Thomas Ormsby of Hot Springs, Mont., Louella Sexsmith of Port Townsend, Wash., and Jeanne Ormsby of Arlington, Va.; brothers, Harper Ormsby of Santa Barbara and Harold Ormsby of Yuma, Ariz.; and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Originally published May 1999, The Modesto Bee