Robert Leslie Straughan; Grand Jury Member

Robert Leslie Straughan of Ventura, a longtime real estate broker who served on the grand jury at the time of one of the most notorious murders trials to hit Ventura County, has died.

He was 68.

Straughan was born Dec. 21, 1927, in Tecumseh, Okla., and his family moved to Ventura shortly after his birth.

Straughan went through the Ventura school system, graduating from Ventura High School in 1945. In the years since his graduation he was a regular speaker at his class reunions, said his wife, Joy Mason-Straughan.

During World War II, Straughan served in the Marine Corps in the discharge bureau.

Straughan worked in real estate for the past 25 years, and was a licensed real estate broker.

He lobbied long and hard for the incorporation of Port Hueneme, which occurred March 24, 1948, and he was instrumental in getting together the land that would ultimately be used for the city’s Bubbling Springs Park.

He was also a co-founder of St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard.

“One of the things he was most proud of was being on the grand jury,” said his wife.

In the late 1950s, Elizabeth “Ma” Duncan was accused of hiring someone to kidnap and kill her daughter-in-law. Straughan was among those who decided there was enough evidence to hold her over for trial.

The proceedings took place in the old county courthouse (now Ventura City Hall) on Poli Street, and in 1958 Duncan was convicted of killing her daughter-in-law.

Straughan loved to golf as much as he loved to fish, said his wife. And he enjoyed spending long hours aboard Dry Martini, the boat belonging to Straughan’s longtime friend, developer Marvin “Bud” Smith.

In addition to his wife, Straughan is survived by son James Straughan of Agoura; daughters Nancy Straughan-Salzer of Camarillo, Kathy Kesting of Oxnard and Kim Cowles of Ojai, and five grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Straughan of Moorpark, and sisters Betty Flesher of Ventura, Pompy Gragg of Camarillo, and Ruth Dalrymple of Fremont.

Straughan was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Mason-Fontes in 1988.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clausen Funeral Home, Ojai. Private services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grey Gables of Ojai.