Mr. Labar was a West Side agricultural leader who owned Labar Greenhouses in Gustine for many years. He was a rancher for 65 years.

Ted Woods, who worked for Mr. Labar for several years, said his Carnation Road greenhouses were among the first in what has grown to become a thriving California transplant industry and a vital supplier to state agriculture.

Mr. Labar was growing tomatoes for DiMare Brothers, Woods said, and had to bring in seedlings from Florida.

“He saw the need, and started building his own houses,” said Woods, who is now president and general manager of California Transplants. “Other people saw what he was doing and started to come to him, and he started building more houses.”

Through the years, Woods recalled, tomato seedlings were the staple of the Labar Greenhouses.

Mr. Labar was a native of Louisiana. He lived in Gustine for 55 years.

He was a parishioner at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, and belonged to the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge.

Mr. Labar was U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Gustine.

He is survived by his wife, Janisue Labar of Gustine; a son, Robert Labar of Modesto; two daughters, Fran Thomsen of Gustine and Amanda Shelton of Grover Beach; a step-son, Anthony Joseph DeVivo of Modesto; a step-daughter, Theresa Pauline Riggs of Modesto; and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, with a rosary to follow.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 8, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, with interment to follow in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.

Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be directed to: Our Lady of Miracles School, 370 Linden Ave., Gustine 95322.