Joseph D. Putnam
Sept. 8, 1934-Aug. 11, 2025
Woodside, California

Joseph D. Putnam died peacefully at his home in Woodside on August 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 90 years old. Born in Gregory, South Dakota, Joe was one of six children of Francis and Bertha Putnam. He was raised on his family’s farm, where,  during the depths of the Depression and the Dustbowl, they carried their water to the house in buckets from a well, their heat was provided by the wood-burning stove in the kitchen and their light by oil lamp. Their outhouse was located behind the house. From a very young age Joe showed his entrepreneurial spirit by trapping minks and selling them to the war department for lining the jackets of bomber pilots in WWII. In those early years he also developed the skill of western riding as he spent many hours with his beloved horse. When in high school, Mary Lou Kayl set her sights on the smartest boy in school, and Joe was the unwitting beneficiary of her plan. After they married a couple of years later, he started his career selling used cars in Minneapolis. Mary Lou got a job for Braniff Airlines, which enabled this young couple to honeymoon in Brazil. Joe didn’t know what hit him; Mary Lou was inspired to explore the world. When Mary Lou gave birth to their first child, Joe had to work double-time to sell three cars in one day so that he could afford to pay the hospital bill and bring him home. That ambition drove him year-round, as their family grew to six children and Joe made the leap from selling used cars in the Dakotas and Minnesota, to buying a dealership in Burlingame, California. Through grit, smarts, and long hours at work, Joe developed a very successful business, Putnam auto dealerships. Joe was a mentor and friend to many over the years of managing his automobile dealerships.  Well known for his radio ads on KCBS in the 70’s and 80’s – “bring your wife or husband, your pink slip and your check book “- he leaves behind a legacy of family friendly values and excellent customer service.    Joe and Mary Lou were married for 54 years and created a dynamic life together, centered always on family while being active in the Catholic Church and in charitable activity throughout the community. They were a generous, tireless, formidable couple.  Mary Lou predeceased Joe by eighteen years  Outside of family and work, Joe’s lifelong passion was horses. A skilled western horseman, he won many cutting competitions across the west and rode with his good friends in the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County. In 1998 Joe was awarded Outstanding Horseperson-Citizen of the Year by the Mounted Patrol. His children grew up in Woodside riding their horses after school the way other kids ride their bikes. Joe is survived by his brother Pat (Linda), his second wife, Juli Putnam; six children: Mark (Alexandra), David (Veda), Marty (Anne), Lisa (Bruce), Kathleen (Christine), and Kent (Beatrice); ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to St. Pius, Monday, August 18, 2025 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for the Vigil Service, and the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:30am at St. Pius Catholic Church, 1100 Woodside Rd, Redwood City.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis Center, 151 Buckingham Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063.  To donate online please go to: http://stfrancisrwc.org 

Tags: business, public service