John Edward Grealish Jr.

John Edward Grealish, Jr was born January 26, 1956, to Bonnie and John Grealish in Bakersfield, CA. He grew up in Rosedale and was the oldest of three children. He was always a great joy to his parents.

John entered North High School in 1970, where he excelled in football and track. There he met his high school sweetheart Debbie Sedwick, and the two later married and had three children Jennifer, John III, and Ricky.

After John graduated high school mid-term in 1974, he went on to work for EB Hall Drilling and Production. He attended BC and Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB) and worked part time feeding cows for Frank Gondola Dairy. During the early years as John and Debbie raised their family, John worked numerous jobs while he studied for and eventually obtained his contractor’s license.

At the young age of 26, John began running B-R Oilfield Services. Together with his father, John Sr, he diligently worked for their first big bid for Shell Oil and was awarded the largest contract in B-R Oilfield Services’ short history. The company grew to more than 200 employees and expanded work in areas from Coalinga to Tracy.

After completing a sizable contract with a smaller local oil company, John had excess equipment available. Seizing an opportunity, he negotiated a deal with an out of state contractor working in the area and Rosedale Equipment Rental (RER) was born.

John enjoyed all aspects of the businesses he had started, which included buying, selling, and renting equipment. Auctions were like a sport for him, and he couldn’t resist a good deal. This passion allowed him to build RER into a thriving rental company. With the purchase of Sandstone Rental and Sam’s U-Drive he grew RER to three locations in Bakersfield.

His business ventures led into commercial real estate, and along with the Gribben family he entered a business partnership, Gribben Grealish Investments, and developed a block of commercial real estate on Rosedale Hwy.

Although John devoted much of his time to his business ventures, he always made time to spend with his family. Destination vacations were memorable events for the young Grealish family, and he was particularly fond of trips to Bass Lake. John spent many summers there with his parents growing up and was excited to share it with Debbie and his children. On one fishing trip, John saw an ad for a small cabin for sale and he and Debbie bought it. After that, John spent as much time as he could at Bass Lake. With the addition of grandchildren, John knew they would quickly outgrow their beloved cabin. He found a larger cabin at the top of a hill overlooking the lake and bought it, selling his original cabin to his parents. It is this location where the entire Grealish family and friends continue to spend countless hours enjoying the fellowship and scenery of John’s beloved Bass Lake, and just as he had desired, it is still affectionately known as “The Cabin.”

In 1998, United Rentals made John an offer to purchase RER. They were the largest rental company in the world and their offer made sense, so John sold with the intention of retiring at the age of 42.

Rather than fully retiring, John focused his energy on commercial real estate, and began purchasing and developing various properties around Bakersfield as Grealish Investments.

After a 30 year relationship, John and Debbie parted ways, but remained lifelong friends and business partners. It was at this time John moved to his favorite place, his cabin at Bass Lake.

While living full time there and enjoying his early retirement, he met his fiancé of 24 years, Merlene Maloney. The couple enjoyed a carefree life of retirement together.

With the addition of Merlene to the family, John gained three step-children, Mary, Johnny, and Matthew. The couple also adopted a Pitbull named Peach who John adored. His heart was big and generous and it showed in the love he had for his animals.

When his mother became ill, he and Merlene moved back to his childhood home in Bakersfield. They began taking his parents along on adventures to Las Vegas, Quartzite, and the beach. John and Merlene cared for both of them for the rest of his parents’ lives.

In 2009 John went into business with his sons, John III and Ricky. Together they opened GCI Equipment Rental with two locations in Bakersfield. Going to work every day, with his sons, gave him a renewed sense of purpose. They especially loved auction day. He also enjoyed the daily interaction with customers and employees, and would often walk the yard making sure it was kept up to his high standards.

Just as he did when they were young, John enjoyed taking trips with his family. One of his favorite trips was to Ireland with John III and Ricky to visit his Grandfather’s hometown of Galway. There, he spent time in Grealish’s Pub and got to know some of the local Grealish’s. Other fond memories included trips to Bass Lake, camping at Laguna Seca, NASCAR, various beaches, and riding motorcycles at Jawbone Canyon. John also loved family get-togethers, and treating his family to lunch at his favorite restaurant, Benji’s.

John took pleasure in giving. His generosity was not limited to his children and family. He made regular donations to SPCA, Saint Jude, Wounded Warriors, Republican Party members, and many others. He gave his grandkids the gift of a debt-free education. There was not a person in need that he would not help no matter their ability to pay him back.

John passed away at his cabin in Bass Lake, CA on April 6, 2023. He was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Grealish, his parents, John and Bonnie Grealish, his sister Tammey Grealish, sister-in-law, Rhonda Sedwick and grandsons David and Adam Oveson, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He leaves behind his three children, Jennifer Hockman (Kirk), John Grealish III, Ricky Grealish (Samantha). His longtime fiancé, Merlene Maloney, step-children, Mary Maloney, Johnny Maloney and Matthew Maloney (Chelsea), mother of his children and business partner, Debbie and his sister-in-law Paula (Jay). He also leaves 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and his best friend, who was closer than a brother, Dan Hardin.

A visitation for John will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. A graveside service will occur Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306.

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