Fresno State, the Jordan College of Agriculture and Technology, and the Ag One Foundation mourn the loss of alumna Karen Morais, who passed away on Dec. 25 with her close family by her side following a short battle with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare type of bone marrow cancer.

Ms. Morais served on the Ag One Board for 12 years. She was president in 1992 and served as financial advisor beginning in 2005. She was also a volunteer member on the Ag Boosters BBQ Committee since 1986, the Community Salute Committee since 1997, the Fresno-Madera Wine Tasting Committee from 2005 to 2010, and she joined the Common Threads Committee last year after being honored in 2015.

In addition to her distinguished role on the Ag One Board, Ms. Morais participated in many philanthropic and community groups including the Fresno State President’s Portuguese Leadership Council, the Fresno Art Museum board of trustees, Bulldog Women’s Foundation, and the Finance Council for Holy Spirit Catholic Church, to name a few.

Ms. Morais had a strong, lifelong connection to agriculture. As a child, she was raised on a dairy in Modesto where her passion for agriculture began. She participated in FFA and 4-H organizations, was involved in many dairy, sheep, sewing, and home economics projects, and was a 4-H All Star.

Ms. Morais graduated from Fresno State in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and was a proud Bulldog ever since. Her Bulldog pride and enthusiasm was well-known to those around her. She could been seen and heard at many games and other University events.

In 1984, Ms. Morais joined Baker, Peterson and Franklin, CPA in Fresno, a full-service accounting and consulting firm. She became its second female partner, specializing in accounting and taxation of production agriculture businesses as well as food processors, parking companies and other agricultural businesses. She was also a founding member of the firm’s Ag Department, and served on the BP&F Ag Business Award Selection Committee.

Ms. Morias attributed her long and successful career to the love of the process, the love of her work, and her passion for serving clients and agriculture. The firm credits her and her 34-year-tenure as a key component to the success and growth of BPF, all while being committed to improving the community through her involvement with numerous organizations.

There will be a rosary at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7, at Franklin and Downs Funeral Home (1050 McHenry Ave., Modesto). At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, there will be a mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto) followed by internment at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery (1141 Scenic Drive, Modesto). The family plans a celebration of life later in January in Fresno.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances be made in her memory to Ag One to support deserving students and programs in the Jordan College, to the Fresno Art Museum, to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fresno, or the charity of your choice.

Fresno State flags will be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, Jan 8 to honor Ms. Morais.