OAKDALE, CA--(Marketwire - February 25, 2010) - It is with great sorrow that Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), the bank holding company for Oak Valley Community Bank and Eastern Sierra Community Bank, announces the death of Mr. Arne Knudsen. Knudsen passed away February 21, 2010 after a valiant struggle against cancer. Knudsen has served on the Bank's Board of Directors since 1991. He was also one of the original founders and played an instrumental role in gathering support and capital from other founding shareholders.