John Peter Gyben

Pete was born on October 18, 1954 in Long Beach to John Jacob Gyben of Hilversum Holland, and Dorothy Petras Gyben of Santa Barbara CA. He grew up in Whittier and Fullerton with his two younger brothers and a sister, where he spent time playing basketball in the driveway, cheering on local sports teams and charming everyone. For high school he went to St. Michaels Seminary, initially as a seminarian, then went on to USC for a year where he confirmed that his future didn’t involve priestly endeavors. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton, got married and graduated with honors from USD Law School. Thereafter he hung out his Law shingle in Newport Beach where he celebrated his many legal successes. When the celebrations started to outnumber his successes, he got sober, joined AA (Hi Pete) and learned how to accept the things he could change (his marriage) and the things he couldn’t (the need for God in his life).

So Pete became the bon vivant of the Newport Beach kayakers and spent his spare time trying to help others in his law practice as well as being a sponsor and mentor to others who were struggling. Pete had an uncanny ability to love the sinner while hating the sin. Well, that’s not exactly true…there were some sins he was particularly fond of, but we digress. His days as a beach bachelor were interrupted when he met a petite brunette with twinkle in her eye and a hearty laugh. He and Kristen were married and ten months later he became a first time father to his son Jack, the light of his life. The little family spent the next 11 years going to little league and major league baseball games, traveling yearly to New Orleans, Oregon and Hawaii, and throwing super bowl parties.

Pete had impeccable comic………timing, a love for his family, friends and hula pie (probably in that order), and the ability to find and experience joy in small moments. He loved cooking, the ocean, ice cream and a dirty joke. He recognized the humanity in all people and was gregarious and generous with his time and heart. He leaves behind his beautiful wife, Kristen, his son Jack, brothers Jack (Marquita), Chris (Cathy), and sister Mary (Tom), along with lots of nieces and nephews for whom he had inappropriate nicknames and love to spare.

We wish you joy on the next leg of your journey, Pete. You were tremendously loved.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Joachim Catholic School in Costa Mesa and reference, "In Memory of Peter Gyben", when leaving donations.