On July 4, 1956, the world lit up with more than just fireworks as John Dana Batiste was born to Colleen Jones and Orie John Batiste in Salinas, CA. John was raised by his mother and his stepfather, Andrew Butler, Jr. in Seaside, CA, though the family traveled to various locations, including Germany, for military purposes. Always the life of the party, John, also known as Johnny, was up for fun, excitement, and adventure. Growing up, John was an intelligent young man, with a dash of mischievousness that entertained his 9 brothers and sisters. John attended Highland Elementary School, King Middle School, Seaside High School, and completed a few college courses. On October 4, 1981, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Debra Denise Lively. He went on to have three beautiful children. A wonderful and devoted father and husband, John adored his family and did everything he could to show how much he loved and cared for them. Using his creativity and entrepreneurial skills, John went on to become a licensed contractor, starting his business of Batiste Ceramics and Marble. As a result of his skills, a large number of homes and businesses across the Monterey Peninsula contain John’s tile work, or bathroom and kitchen remodeling. His legacy will truly live on through the people he touched and the work he created. Though John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2023, he did not let it dim his light, and continued to do bathroom and kitchen remodels up to three weeks before he passed away. His silly sense of humor, positive attitude, and witty “Johnnyisms” remained until the very end, as he vowed for cancer not to diminish his spirit. On January 29, 2024, John peacefully passed away at Community Hospital in Monterey at 67 years old. He was preceded in death by his mother, Colleen; stepfather, Andrew; brother Darrell Wardell (Sue); brother Timothy Butler; sister Denise Manning; brother Dwaine Wardell; brother Greg Wardell; and father, John. He is survived by his wife, Debra; daughter Charea; son, Dionte; daughter LaShandra; sons-in law Jason and Jim; brother Michael Wardell (Vivian); brother Shawn Butler (Art); sister Stacey Drew; sister Kimberley Batiste (Leonard), sisters-in-law Nancy and Barbara; brothers-in-law James, Elliot, and Robert, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and loved ones. John, or “Jay Bee” as he was affectionately known, will forever be missed, will never be forgotten, and will always be the firework that permanently lit up all of our lives.
A memorial and celebration of a beautiful life for John will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Bayside Community Mortuary, 1610 Noche Buena Street, Seaside, California 93955.
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