unexpectedly on August 22, 2022. John was born in Bakersfield on July
21, 1968 to John Giumarra Jr and Pamela Presley Giumarra, the oldest of
their five children. John grew up in Bakersfield and attended Carden
Elementary and Garces high school (class of 1986). After graduating John
attended The University of Southern California and The University of
Arizona where he graduated with a degree in Political Science. While
attending the University of Arizona in Tucson, John was a member of the
Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Following graduation from college, John
moved to Los Angeles where he pursued his interest in film by working as
a production assistant at Warner Brothers Studios. John also spent several
years working for Giumarra Brothers Fruit Company on the Los Angeles
produce market. John eventually decided to move back home to
Bakersfield to be closer to family and happily accepted a job in sales at a
new local radio station, KSMJ. John was extremely passionate about
music and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities this position provided. He
thrived in this arena and loved nothing more than traveling to see bands of
all genres at various venues throughout the country, especially his favorites
Simple Minds, The Radiators and The Dave Matthews Band. There was
nothing quite like watching John at a live show or listening to a favorite
song. Music spoke to his soul and put him in his element.
However, John was never afraid to try his hand in something new. His
grandfather Randall Presley, a national homebuilder, had always been a
role model and inspiration to John, so following his time in radio, John
spent a short period building custom homes. A few years and a few
homes later, when the family business needed to bolster up the sales team
John answered the call. This move brought him to Giumarra Vineyards
where he worked alongside his father, brothers, uncles and cousins.
John's friendly and genuine personality contributed to a successful career
in sales where he built many lasting friendships with customers and
colleagues all over the world.
John was humble and definitely didn't crave lots of attention, but he had
many talents, interests and hobbies. He excelled at soccer as a youth and
golf throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed scuba diving, riding motorcycles,
sky diving, watching sports, listening to music and spending time with
friends and family. And if you were among those friends and family, you
know that John's enjoyment for a big meal is part of Giumarra family lore.
John was notorious for assembling the most perfectly sculpted plates of
food that were always dripping with extra sauce. He especially enjoyed a
big holiday feast which was almost always followed by a snooze on the
nearest couch, which usually ended up with the sauce on it. John was so
lucky to have an abundance of dear friends, many of which he had been
close with since childhood, which truly spoke to his loyalty and intentional
personality. If you were in John's circle, he was very protective.
John also knew how fortunate he was to be a part of a large family who
loved to travel, both in the states and abroad. Whether it was a visit to
New York at Christmas, a cruise to the Caribbean, a golf trip to Carmel or
a Griswold style European vacation, the laughs and memories were always
amongst his favorites. He was close to his four siblings and absolutely
adored all of his nieces and nephews. Uncle John was always there to
bring a quirky gift to his nieces or throw the football and watch a game
with his nephews. They will miss him greatly and our family get-togethers
certainly will not be the same without Uncle John.
John did many things in his lifetime but he was most proud of his children.
John and Lauren were blessed with five beautiful children - Johnny,
Christian, Matthew, Marcella and Anna, whom he absolutely loved and
adored. He truly cherished every single moment spent with them. They
were his greatest gifts and he will forever be watching over them.
John is survived by his children, Johnny, Christian, Matthew, Marcella &
Anna Giumarra, his mother Pamela Presley Giumarra, Grandmother CeCe
Presley, brother Randy Giumarra and his wife Barri, sister Juliana Houchin
and husband Clay, brother Joey Giumarra and sister Jill Houchin and
husband Morgan, nieces and nephews, Randall, Malia, Sienna and
Graham Giumarra, Presley and Campbell Houchin, Gianna Giumarra,
Hayden, Harlow and Hollis Houchin, Lauren Billings, the mother of his five
children along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
John is preceded in death by his beloved father John Giumarra Jr,
Grandfathers John Giumarra Sr, Randall Presley and Joseph Messina.
Grandmothers Florence Messina, Dorothy Terrell Presley and Shirley
Giumarra.
John left us too soon and he will be so greatly missed. Rest easy, dear
John, while our hearts will forever be heavy, we will use the many years of
love that we shared to comfort us until we meet again.
A celebration of John's life will be held on Tuesday September 13, 2022 at
1:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield,
CA 93306
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the GIUMARRA family.
PALLBEARERS
Randy GiumarraPallbearer
Joseph GiumarraPallbearer
Morgan HouchinPallbearer
Clayton HouchinPallbearer
Jerry SabaPallbearer
Matt MullhoferPallbearer
James WattsPallbearer
Frank MaitiaPallbearer
Mike PetriniHonorary Pallbearer
Dustin GarciaHonorary Pallbearer
Ward KellyHonorary Pallbearer
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