Harlan Lee FugateSimi Valley, CAHarlan Lee Fugate passed away at his home at TRE, Wellington on Saturday morning, January 28, 2017. He was 79. Harlan was born on June 26, 1937 in Three Rivers, Michigan to Harlan Cletus Fugate and Beatrice Evelyn Davis. He had 2 sisters; Patricia Ann Thomas (currently in Niles, MI) and Martha Elaine D'Amore who preceded him in death. After graduating from John Adams High School in South Bend, IN he joined the Air Force where he learned to weld and was stationed at Pt. Mugu in California. His father, step mother and stepsiblings (Marvin Lee, Linda, Johnny and Terry) moved to Oxnard, California where his brother Harlan Cletus Fugate, Jr. (Ventura, CA) was born. Harlan was very active in the raising of his little brother and remained close for life. Harlan worked at Raytheon where he met Barbara Lenore Lorge. They married and had two children; Bradley Steven Fugate (Camarillo, CA) and Carrie Lee Smith (Simi Valley, CA). Harlan went back to work at Pt. Mugu as a welder and moved his family to Marker Avenue in Camarillo. His children remember growing up with his love of camping, motorcycle riding, metal work and car building in the garage, bar b queing, country music and football. After 24 years of marriage he divorced and moved to North Street in Somis, Ca. This is where his love of horses and western horsemanship flourished. He often rode at the Sense Ranch and claimed to learn everything he knew about ranching from Arlie Harvey, a man he truly admired. Harlan rode with the Ventura County Sheriff's Posse and loved spending time with his granddaughters Sierra Kay and Cheyenne Lee Smith. After retirement he moved to Topaz Ranch Estates in Nevada. He was often seen riding his horse Playboy. He enjoyed raising various animals like and bird watching. He loved living in Nevada and attending the local social gatherings such as rodeos, tractor pulls, car shows, and going to listen to the Motifs play. He enjoyed going to the VFW or joining friends for a meal and a beer or a glass of Crown Royal. He was a wonderful dad, grandpa and brother and a good friend to many. He will always be remembered as a great man with a big laugh who lived life on his own terms and always seemed to be in need of a hug from the ladies. His funeral service will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 3, 2017 at the Smith Valley United Methodist Church, 44 Rivers Road Smith. Burial will follow the church service at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net, also sympathy cards may be sent directly to his daughter from this site. Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911.