John "Papa John" Medrano Jr.

Born in Hanford CA to Juan and Luisa Medrano. John was the 6th of 7 children. His father died when John was 4, leaving Luisa to depend on her father and family to raise her children. John grew up working odd jobs about town to help support the family. He delivered newspapers, shined shoes and earned money in any way he could find. John was only 10 when his mother Luisa died. He and his brothers Tony and Manuel were then to be raised by his older sister Margaret and her husband Ignacio (Nacho) Martinez.

He grew up with his nieces and nephews whom he called his brothers and sisters, Ernie, Ronnie, Louie, Hope, Ida, Hortense and Jesse. At a young age, John began working in the fields picking fruit and cotton in Hanford and in surrounding areas to help support the family.

In 1954 he enlisted in the Air Force and travelled to various parts of the world. In 1956, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan where he befriended Edwardo Alaniz. It was through Edwardo that he met the love of his life, Gloria. They married in 1958 and a year later they had their first son, John Medrano III. In 1961 the family moved to Hanford, and ultimately to Santa Clara where they made their home. In 1970 their daughter Mary Louise was born and our family was complete.

John loved his family. Not only his wife and children, but, his siblings, nieces and nephews as well. He kept in touch with many of his nieces and nephews frequently. His great joy was visiting many of his family members, not only Medrano’s, but Alaniz as well. He also had a great love for fishing and hunting and would take his family, and sometimes the neighborhood kids on camping trips.

John is predeceased by his siblings, Margaret Martinez, Emily Ybarra, Ray Medrano, Joe Medrano, and Tony Medrano.

He is survived by Gloria, his beautiful wife of 64 years. His son John and his wife Gloria of Los

Banos, his daughter Mary Louise, Santa Clara, and younger brother, Manuel Medrano,

of Hanford.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.limafamilysantaclara.com for the Medrano family.