John Canning

John Canning passed peacefully during the early morning hours of June 12, 2021, with his wife June, and children at his bedside. Although only twenty-eight days shy of his 96th birthday, John lived a full and complete life.

John was born in Sebastopol, CA to Thomas and Ethel (Kitto) Canning. During his childhood, after several moves, the family settled in Lindsay, CA. John’s father built their home on the southeast outskirts of Lindsay. He attended Strathmore Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High School and graduated at age 16 from Lindsay High School. He then attended Porterville Jr. College and was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams.

In early 1943, John enlisted in the US Army. He completed basic training in Amarillo, TX. He then fulfilled cadet training and gunnery school in Las Vegas, NV. He was assigned to the 385th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force of the US Army Air Corp. A member of the 549th Bomb Squadron of the 385th, he was based at a RAF airfield near Ipswich, Suffolk County, England, northeast of London. John flew 35 missions with the 549th, his first mission flew on November 9, 1944, and his final mission flew on March 11, 1945. John flew in B-17 bombers and with few exceptions, was the tail gunner on each of his missions.

Following the conclusion of the war, he was honorably discharged and proceeded to attend college at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. There he took classes in Chemistry, later changing his major to Sociology. In order to help with chores and duties around the Lindsay home, John often drove to Los Angeles on Sunday evenings to attend classes at USC during the week. He then drove back home on Fridays to spend the weekend at his home. During a summer college trip to the Grand Canyon, John met students from rival UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles.) Certain events led John to meet his future bride, Olive June Oyer.

Upon graduation from USC and UCLA, respectively, John and June married in San Diego, CA on July 22, 1950. The couple soon moved to Bakersfield where John designed and built their first home. He then began work with the County of Kern in Welfare and Social Services. He later worked for many years at Kern General Hospital (KMC) in the hospital administrative department, eventually becoming Assistant Hospital Administrator at Kern Medical. During his time there, John managed to find time to attend USC night school earning a Masters of Business Administration degree. He made the round trip from Bakersfield to USC two to three nights a week after finishing his day job at Kern Medical. John retired in July 1990.

When not working and after retirement, John enjoyed playing golf nearly every weekend with his buddies at the Kern River Golf Course. When not golfing, he enjoyed fishing the Kern River with his two sons and friends. The family enjoyed vacationing in Yosemite, Crater Lake, the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, San Diego and beach camping along the California coast. At home for all these years, John occupied his free time with yard work and landscaping, building and maintaining an extensive stamp collection, and filling in any extra time by reading books and challenging his brain with crossword puzzles.

John is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, June Canning, and their four children: Daughter Jan Siri (Michael) of Cupertino, CA; Son Jerry Canning of Poway, CA; Son Jeffrey Canning (Tracy) of Bailey, CO and Daughter Jane Ross (Michael) of Bakersfield, CA. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Paul Siri (Shayna) of Danville, CA; Allison Siri (fiancé Frankie) of San Francisco, CA; Jessica Rice (Andy) of Portland, OR; Taylor Canning of Centennial, CO and one great-grandchild Elliott Rice, as well as other loved ones. In addition, he is survived by his cherished at-home caregiver of 7 years, Treesa Devin.

John is predeceased by his Father, Thomas in 1957, his Mother, Ethel in 1978, his brother, Eugene in 2014 and his brother Billy.

John lived an honest and whole life. He was dedicated to his work, but more importantly, his attention was focused on his wife and family. He was a caring and providing husband and guiding and protective father. He had a huge heart and cared for his family and everyone close to him. His unconditional love for family and friends was an inspiration to all who knew him. Dad will be lovingly remembered by his family and his friends.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate care given to John during his final days, particularly by Treesa Devin as well as the staff at Bristol Hospice Care.

Funeral services for John Canning will be held on June 24, 2021, beginning at 9:00AM,

at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306