Lee Delap

Lee Delap, Club President 1996-1997

Pre-Retirement Occupation: Deputy Chief Operations, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), program manager for California Southern Region (CSR) Conservation Camps. Served as CSR Duty Chief, Incident Command Team-Deputy Incident Commander, and assist with Capital Outlay Management.

Assignments: promoted from Firefighter starting in 1966, Engineer (Helitack, wildland, rural and metro areas), Captain (ECC and Station), Fire Prevention Officer (Law Enforcement Supervisor), Division Chief (Administration, Operations), Deputy Chief (Program and Region Management). Served as Fresno County Fire Warden for 2.5 years, May 2004 to November 2006. Represented CAL FIRE as the MACS (Multi-Agency Coordinating System –part of National Incident Management System {NIMS}) Agency Representative during the Fire Siege of 2007 and After Action efforts following. The Fire Siege of 2007 is noted as potentially the largest ever mobilization of Fire Protection resources to date.

Education: CSU Fresno, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Dean’s list spring 1974-fall 1975.

Business: Pecan Grower, developed orchard and farm in the Minkler area.

Longevity in Community: Born in Fresno at Sequoia Hospital and family moved to the Sanger/Minkler area in August 1954, relocated to Piedra from 1963 to 1967 to assist with family business; Munk’s Lodge.

Community Involvement: Rotary Community service began in 1992 and ultimately served as Sanger Rotary Club President in 1996-1997. Club was recognized at District and International levels during this time, membership was high at 66. The Sanger Rotary International Christmas Tree shared Sanger's story with Rotarians worldwide, we started the first ever franchise of Hope Now for Youth, outside Fresno in the Sanger community. The Club efforts earned a District 5230 “Club of Excellence” Award and included many service avenue recognition awards for club members’ hard work. Our slogan for the year was “BUILD THE FUTURE WITH ACTION AND VISION”. Also served as Director, club Secretary, Vice President, and chaired many committees.

Service with the Chamber of Commerce includes Farmer's Market Committee, Ambassador, Director, and Chairman of the Board for 2006/7 and 2007/8. One of the goals was to bring a Car Show to Sanger so more people are exposed to our community. This has been done with the Farmer’s Market and now Blossom Days car show efforts. Member of VFW, American Legion, Eagles, Central Valley Fire Chiefs Association, CSUF Alumni Association, and served as President for Corvettes of Fresno 2004 and 2005. Currently serve on the Board of Directors as Secretary for Sierra Gateway Trust – 501 3 (c) non-profit promoting community, culture, history, agriculture and tourism after mentioning the idea and it was developed.

Family Status: Married to wife Nonie for 37+ years, she is Assistant Corporate Secretary and Office Manager for Gibson Wine Company in Sanger. Son Carl is a Fire Captain for Fresno City Fire Department. He and Nancy are the proud parents of Curt Maxwell and Evelyn Faye Delap. Youngest son Chuck continues to live and help at home. Mother Vivian Lefler is the retired owner/operator of Munk's Lodge and Resort in Piedra. Sister Sally is an award winning artist with work on display at “The Art Stand”. Her husband Lee John is employed in the aircraft industry by Rogers Helicopters. Sister May works in the Bay Area for a high technology fleet and information management firm.

Military Service: Active Duty Service in the United States Army from May 1967 to May of 1969. Honorable discharge. Served as Acting First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Patrol Leader, Squad Leader and Fire Team Leader in Republic of Vietnam with the “Big Red One”. Earned Combat Infantryman’s Badge for action under fire, Bronze Star with “V” device for valor, listed in the Legion of Valor Museum, Fresno California. Earned Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and other awards and citations consistent with infantry combat service in the Vietnam era peak of 1968-69.

The above bio was written and submitted by Lee Delap in 2008. His wife Noni passed away in 2021 and son Charles passed in 2016.