John Armendariz Jr.

John Armendariz Jr. of Perry, GA. was born July25, 1940 at a home in the outskirts of Bakersfieldand went to be with our Lord on April 30, 2019, aftera brief illness. He is survived by his wife Lomita of29½ years as well as his two sons John III (wifeKerry) and Bryan (wife Lupe). Sibling survivors aresisters Mary Ramirez, Sally Gonzalez (husbandJacinto), Gloria Ybarra (husband Harry) and BrotherDavid (wife Becky). John also leaves threegrandchildren Christian, Lisa and Sarah Armendarizas well as many nephews and nieces (includinggreat). John was preceded in death by Parents JohnSr. and Ruth Armendariz, Brother Robert, SisterEsther as well as nephews Matthew Gonzalez andMichael Ybarra.

John was a fun loving person who grew up inShafter, CA. and graduated from SHS in 1958. He played football and baseballfor the Generals and once hit a 450 ft home run that landed between 1st and 2ndbase on the JV diamond. He loved baseball and played on numerous local teamsincluding La Colonia’s “iconic” Eagles. John also enjoyed being a Boy Scout andplaying the trumpet.

After attending Bakersfield College John married Trinidad Gaeta and workedfor the US Postal Service before joining the Kern County Sheriff’s Office inOctober 1962. While John worked at the Mojave, Delano and LamontSubstations, they had two sons. John was a Deputy for over 10 years andtransferred to the Kern County Coroner’s Office after being in two gunfightswhile assigned in Lamont. In the 1980’s John also worked several years as anElko County Sheriff’s Deputy at the Jackpot Substation, in Nevada. John didsome travelling and on December 9, 1989 John married Lomita Johnson of TerraBella, CA. and ultimately settled in Imperial Beach, CA. where he loved theweather.

John began working for the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Officefrom 1991 to 1999 before retiring. Through research, Lomita discovered she hada half-sister in Georgia. John and Lomita bought a house in Perry, GA; sightunseen and left California for the Peach State in September 2017.

John leaves a legacy of being a prankster to his sisters as they were growingup, going on Morro Bay camping trips, fishing off the Cayucos Pier, being a greatbaseball coach on his sons’ Lamont JBA baseball teams, going on Las Vegas tripsand was a role model to many. John’s death was unexpected and he will bemissed by all who knew and loved him.

A Rosary will be recited followed by a memorial mass on Wed. May 15, 2019 atSt. Francis Catholic Church in Bakersfield at 10:30am followed by mass at11:00am performed by Monsignor Swett. Viewing will be Thursday May 16, 2019, 4-8pm held at El Cajon Mortuary,684 S. Mollison Ave, El Cajon, CA. Service/Eulogies on Friday May 17, 2019 at10am also at El Cajon Mortuary. Graveside services at 11:30am being held atSinging Hills Memorial Park 2800 Dehesa Rd, El Cajon, CA.

In lieu of flowers,John’s favorite charity was the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.www.bakersfield.com/obits