William O. Garin, 84; Central Valley Grower and Exporter of Lettuce

William O. Garin, 84, who operated his California Central Valley family produce business, Garin Co., for 20 years and promoted lettuce in Iran and Japan, died Oct. 9 at his home in Salinas of natural causes.

Born in San Francisco, he was the son of H.P. Garin, who founded the company in 1921. Young Garin grew up on the Monterey Peninsula and attended Hartnell College in Salinas and the University of Oregon. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he worked his way up in the family business and was president from 1963 until it was sold in 1983.

Garin was instrumental in founding the Western Iceberg League, which evolved into the Iceberg Lettuce Commission. He traveled to Iran, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong to promote the export of lettuce and worked to export asparagus to South America.

At its peak, Garin Co. operated more than 30,000 acres of farmland in California and Arizona, growing tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, peas, corn, onions, sugar beets and melons.