Carl Westfall
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Carl Lawrence Westfall (also known as Pudge, Flucky or Chief) on September 23, 2022.
Carl was born to Ruby Edna Davis and Carl Lorraine Westfall on December 23, 1938 in Santa Maria, California. He lived most of his elementary school years in Santa Maria, attended middle school in Carpinteria and High School in Santa Barbara. In 1957, he graduated from Santa Barbara High School.
After his mother passed when he was 5 years old, he was blessed to have many close friends and family that guided and supported him, influencing his life in a very positive way. His Grandma Rose Westfall, Uncle Jack Westfall, Aunt Johnny Allred, Aunt Lillian Ball and the Robles and Craine families were an enormous part of his support system during his growing up years.
In 1959, Carl met the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Clare Ann (Baldwin) Westfall, while hunting at The Kinatsey Ranch behind La Patera Ranch in Goleta. They were married on July 30, 1960 when Carl was 21 and Clare was 16. They welcomed 4 children together, Wendy, Carla, Sherri and Tate.
Carl was extremely dedicated and talented in his trade. He worked for many construction companies over his 26 year career, including Solvang Cement, Ernest Hahn Construction, South Coast Construction, Blois & Cardoza, Lash and Tierra Construction. As an expert in concrete structures, he worked on many important projects during his career. In the late 1960s, Carl helped construct Storke Tower at UCSB. In the early 1980s, he worked on the construction and installation of the Dolphin Fountain at Stearn’s Wharf in Santa Barbara. He also helped build La Cumbre Plaza, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and many of the parking structures in Santa Barbara. Carl mastered constructing catch basins and caissons, and built tennis courts and retaining walls.
Carl was an avid sporting clay enthusiast, shooter, hunter, and outdoorsman. He won many awards for his exceptional shooting skills throughout his life, and was very well-known and respected in the sport. Carl was inducted in the California Sporting Clays Association Hall of Fame in 2013. This award has only been given to 8 people throughout the State of California. Carl was a lifetime member of Winchester Canyon Gun Club. He devoted much of his time to improving the club and mentoring young and new shooters. As an experienced hunter, Carl often travelled throughout the western United States on hunting trips with friends and family. Many of his fondest memories were from these trips.
Carl impacted many lives with his wisdom, talent, sportsmanship, work ethic and kindness. He was a good man, husband, father and grandfather; one of honor and respect. Carl was a beloved and dedicated friend of many. His word was his word; he said what he meant and meant what he said. If you were ever lost in the backcountry, you would call Pudge because he would be able to find you.
Carl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clare Westfall; his daughter Carla Westfall Olson (David); 5 grandchildren, JR Magennis, Lauren Olson Armstrong (Paul), Cody Magennis, Andrea Olson Keefer (Neil), and Morgan Olson; 5 great grandchildren, Colton Magennis, Ryder Magennis, Leah Keefer, Ashlyn Armstrong, Carly Keefer and his hunting dog Ace. He also leaves behind his stepsister Janice Osborne and cousins Bobby Westfall (Clare), Judy Honeyman (Dave), Cheryl Gregory (Chase), Kim Westfall (Barbara), Jack Allred and Marla Freed. He is preceded in death by his son Tate Westfall and daughters Sherri Westfall Magennis and Wendy Westfall.
Our family is comforted in knowing he lived a life he loved and that he is now with Tate, Sherri and Wendy, and other family, friends and dogs that have gone before him.
A celebration of Carl’s life will be held on Friday, November 25th, 2022 at 12:00 at Winchester Canyon Gun Club located at 6622 W Camino Cielo, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Please RSVP at https://wcgc.org/event-5010404