John Lawrence Shehadey

John was born in San Francisco, the first son of Larry and Elayne Shehadey. When he was 10, the young family moved to Fresno when his father bought into a small dairy. His work ethic began early while still in grade school, sweeping the loading dock in return for ice cream cones. To gain experience as a teenager, he spent a summer working for a dairy in Vallejo delivering milk in glass bottles. His day began at 4:00 a.m.

Although John left us far too soon, he packed as much as he could into the time he had. Growing up in Fresno he loved mountains, boating, skiing, and hiking, and later added a passion for hunting and Alaskan fishing trips. He earned his Eagle Scout designation and credited scouting for helping him become the man he was. On family trips to Aptos, before a license was required, he became a scuba diver. Later, at age 72, he qualified at a Maui dive shop, becoming the oldest diver ever certified there. He marked his 80th birthday sky diving and talked of making another jump at age 90.

Graduation from Fresno High 1957 led to a year at Fresno State, then the University of Southern California where he graduated. He earned his master’s from Fresno State’s very first MBA graduate program, going on to also graduate from San Joaquin College of Law. In between, he served on a Coast Guard cutter during the Cuban Missile Crisis (he remembered being the only crewmember not seasick during a near-hurricane).

Mid-life, John left his sales job at Producers and struck out on his own, working at Sears, in Ernest Kinney’s law office, and selling law books to fellow students. Eventually, John returned to the family business to make a going concern of the Shop N Go stores. Putting his MBA to work he franchised and partnered with McDonalds and various oil companies, which leveraged into the purchase of Red Triangle Oil Company and Cal Fresno. With the help of sons Jim and Tom, he became an oil jobber and one of Valero’s largest west coast distributors. His sons joined him on a variety of projects including shopping centers and a mixed-use development in a disadvantaged area of Fresno which will bring housing, retail, and a branch of City College to that neighborhood.

The original Bar 20 Dairy Ranch, built by his dad in the 50s, grew old, outmoded, and too small. With will and determination and the help of his son Steve, he built the mammoth, new, state-of-the-art facility just across the street. It not only prospered but won several coveted awards, including the national and international sustainability award for the space-age science used to remove methane gas from animal waste and convert it into renewable energy. The dairy lives on, complete with a wildlife sanctuary, a testament to his vision. Farmer John liked to say, “We’re raising a new variety of grapes at the ranch, we call them almonds.” The family farms produce not only almonds but ground crops to feed the herd.

He thrived on helping make Fresno better. John was one of the original members of Big Brothers Big Sisters, and The Visitors and Convention Bureau. He loved the downtown YMCA and began his run from there each day for decades. When the Y faced bankruptcy, he acted as CEO, and along with Paul Caprioligio and Steve Simonian, tried to keep the Y camps open. Their efforts added 7 years of life for Y members. For years John was a fixture on the Redwoods in Yosemite Board, even serving as president. He was the driving force that twice quashed attempted government take overs of the homes there.

Running was another passion, first local races, marathons, then ultra-marathons. He twice completed the deadly 147-mile run across Death Valley, The Badwater. In 1993, after finishing The Badwater, he set out immediately to climb Mt. Whitney. He succeeded and came back with stories to tell.

Cruising with friends, “The Drifters”, he and Mary traveled the world from St. Petersburg to Tahiti, from the Greek Isles to Hong Kong, and other ports in between too numerous to mention. It was a care-free, work-free period of discovery.

So much to be proud of, but his family was his heart. When any grandchild caught their first fish it was cause for celebration. He cheered them on in every endeavor, frequently sneaking in a moral or life lesson. He lived his life with joy and gratitude for the small and large rewards. He considered the challenge of making a deal entertainment, but the main goal was to make things better for his family.

“Fight On,” the rallying cry of his beloved USC Trojans, was his as well. He fought the valiant fight during his final illness at CRMC. Children Steve, Jim, Tom, Nancy, and his wife Mary shared their love and memories with him during his ICU stay.

He was one of a kind and will be forever missed by: wife, Mary; children and grandchildren: Steve, Amy, Bonney, and Matt; Jim, Kim, Audrey, Robert, and Lauren; Nancy, Andrew Fisher, Jones and Mike; Tom, Karie, Maddie and Sophie. As well as step children, Kelly, Jim Kehlet, Kristen and Ryan; Brad Cordill, Karen, Bryce and Kyla; his brother Richard and Sue and their children and grandchildren, and ex-wife, Judy Shehadey. Tammy Brasfield, office Wonder Woman, greased the wheels and smoothed the way to make his big ideas magically happen.

Hawaiian shirts became John’s late-life uniform. In accordance with his wishes, he will be wearing one to his funeral as will many of the family. His friends are encouraged to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Black ties not required.

Viewing at Whitehurst Sullivan Funeral Home, 836 E Nees Ave Fresno, CA 93720 1:00-4:00 pm Sunday, January 29.Services will be at New Covenant Church at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 30, 2023.

Favorite charities: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boy Scouts of America, and Fresno County Sheriff’s Memorial Foundation.

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