I was born in Los Banos, CA, in my grandmother's house on January 5, 1929. After that we moved to a dairy ranch in Dos Palos for about 4-5 years that my parents leased and operated. Around 1934 my dad bought a 20-acre ranch from his dad in Los Banos. It was totally barren, no water or dwelling. My dad dug a water well by hand with a post-hole digger and hit water around I 8-feet deep. Until we got the well, we used the neighbor's water across the road with a milk can. They built a small 600sf house and two small out-houses. We were very close to the railroad tracks and only about 3 miles from central Los Banos. I started grade school and had the option to walk 3 miles or hitchhike (which was my preference) to get there earlier than the school bus so I could play handball with my buddies. I was released from school on scheduled days with the other children to attend Catechism. Growing up I was a boy scout, had a pet sheep, Banjo, among other pets, and milked cows. My brother and I got interested in model airplanes, so our dad built us a workbench to build model airplanes in one end of the chicken house where my mother also washed clothes. My other chores were har-nessing the work horses for the day's work at the ranch and any other needed chores. In 1949, my uncle, my dad and I entered the Calaveras County Frog Jumping Contest made popular by Mark Twain. Our frogs lost.
Once I started high school, I was only allowed one sport a year be-cause my mother had to do my chores when I was not there. So, I chose varsity football and played four years. A teenage canteen was started in town by mothers of the teenagers and a merchant al-lowed us to use the top story of his building for a canteen. I started playing clarinet in a Portuguese street band for $1 a day in the eighth grade. So, I formed an eight-member dance band for the can-teen and a smaller three-piece band that played for local events, particularly during the holidays. This was excellent extra money in the pocket of a teenager.
John made his final flight Friday, December 9, just 27 days short of his 94th birthday. He was blessed to have a long, adventurous and successful life doing the things he loved. At the top of his list was aviation which he enjoyed for 77 years having acquired his pilot's license when he was just 17.
His funeral will be held on Friday, December 23, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1621 Center Avenue, Los Banos, at 10 a.m. Since that is so close to Christmas and many family members and friends cannot attend there will also be a Celebration of Life on January 5, 2023, which is his 94th birthday, at New Hope Community Church, 4620 E. Nees Avenue, Clovis, at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at both events so, if possible, please let me know via email if you will be attending one or both so that we can get a general headcount for the caterers.
John was an active member of numerous aviation clubs. He founded the Central Valley Aviation Association and was a charter member of The International Cessna 170 Association.
In honor of his love of aviation, donations may be made to either of the following in lieu of flowers:
*Central Valley Aviation Association Scholarship Fund, check made out to CVAA and mailed to c/o Sarah Donaldson, 7726 N. First St. #510, Fresno, CA 93720
*The International Cessna 170 Association Scholarship Fund, check made out to TIC 170A Scholarship Fund and mailed to TIC170A, 22 Vista View Lane, Cody, WY 82414-9606.

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