John Bert Arambel

May 21, 1929-April 4, 2025


John Bert Arambel passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the age of 95.

Born May 21, 1929, to Jean and Dominica Arambel, spent most of his life as a resident of Los Banos with his brothers Mitch and Ernie.

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, John earned a degree in field crops. In 1952, he was drafted by the Army, eventually being connected to a unit known as SCARWAF, or Special Category Army Reassigned with Air Force. He spent most of his service time in Germany. But when he was on leave, he would visit family in the Basque countryside of France.

When John's service was complete, he returned to the hills outside Los Banos where his family raised sheep.

Eventually John would leave the sheep business to work in home, ranch and land appraisal, first for Bank of America and later for Western Valley Insurance, where he would retire in the early 2000s.

John was a lifelong 49ers' fan, attending the first 49ers home game at 17 years old at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. He also enjoyed rooting for the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. John was a founding member of the Los Banos Basque Club.. He also loved listening to jazz, and was well known for his sense of humor. John's philosophy was solid: "You're running out of money and running out of time, so you better start laughing."

John is survived by his daughter, Cherie Arambel; grandsons, Maris and Mattingly Frea, who knew him affectionately as "Boompa"; and nephews, Robert and Paul Arambel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Dominica Arambel; brothers, Mitch and Ernie; and partner, Maria Soares.

A rosary and funeral mass will be held Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Los Banos, followed by interment at 12:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Santa Nella.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Los Banos Basque Club Foundation, P.O. Box 123, Los Banos, CA, 93635.

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