John was born September 03,1943 to Harry Lee and Phyllis Hustead in Bakersfield, CA and passed into Eternal Life on June 22, 2024. He was preceded in death by his Parents – Lee and Phyllis. He is survived by his wife Beth Hustead, Children- Heather, Zane, Cody and Ward Hustead, Stepson -Abe Guerrero, Brothers - Denny and Wife Sharon Hustead and Lew and Wife Paula Hustead, Grandchildren -Sophia and Robert Bailey, Jacob and Dylan Hustead, and many Nieces and Nephews.
John's Parents were Christians and passed the Love of God to their Children, with John becoming a Christian as a young boy. He carried his belief throughout his life and used it as a foundation for all that he would accomplish. Laughing and storytelling was a staple in the Hustead Household which John continued with gusto into adulthood.
As a young boy, John attended local primary schools and graduated from East Bakersfield High School in 1961. John was very energetic and outgoing and made many lifelong friends and continued to nurture those relationships until his passing. During high school he worked for Mayfair Market and as a caddy for Bakersfield Country Club.
He married his Sweetheart - Dixie Lee Ward in March 1965 and together raised four Children.
John served as a Draftsman in the United States Army from 1966-68 in Fort Richardson, Alaska and was an Active Reserve through October 1972. During that time John and Dixie experienced many adventures together.
As a young Man with lots of energy, John came home from the Army and began farming, raising children, cattle, and even opened a popular Livestock Supply Store —The Cimmaron Depot. He went on to become Land Surveyor, Contractor, Project Manager, Land Developer, and in his free time donated plenty of time to various needy projects.
John began a second chapter in his life when he married his second wife, Beth in 2001 and they began their adventures together and remained together until his passing.
John loved life and it showed. He made and introduced many friends and was always ready to include any of them in his next adventure. If John wanted to be your friend, there was no stopping him. He was a great outdoorsman and loved many activities, including - competitive running, Endurance Horse racing, Hiking, and joining his children for Church, artistic and sports activities.
He was a member of The Frontier Days Association, The Back Country Horseman, Model A Club of America and was appointed by the Governor to the Recreational Trails Committee.
He was an avid Horseman with an old soul who loved the Cowboy Way and lived by its code. He learned and promoted Kern County History by way of restoration of cars and carriages. He promoted and participated in Parades, Carriage and Pony Express rides, Cowboy Festivals, and Kern County Fair and Museum Activities. He collected antiques and vintage Cowboy gear, saved every scrap of memory and subsequently shared it with anyone who would listen.
John was an avid Story and Joke Teller and could remember things you could not even remember about your own family. He could make Children, Friends, and the Elderly cackle with, laughter. He shared his joyful and kind heart by helping needy people, friends, elderly, sometimes delivering a donut, a rib, or a laugh. And God said – Let your light shine, John – and he did.
Please join our Family and friends for a "Celebration of Life and a farewell for Cowboy John Hustead as he rides off on his last great adventure on August 10,2024 at 11:00 am at the Four Seasons Lodge at 10500 Toscana Way Bakersfield; CA 93300. A lunch reception will follow. If you would like to share a memory please be prepared, as time may be limited.
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