John Ray Vasina

John was born on September 7, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas to Faye and Gus Vasina. John graduated from Jourdanton High School. He was very popular in school especially noted for his wit and athletic ability. Following graduation, John attended Wharton Jr. College and the University of Texas in Austin. He graduated from the University of Houston in 1972 with a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy. John went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Philosophy at the University of Houston in 1976. His reward for earning his Master’s Degree was attending the Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic Celebration in Gonzales, Texas.

John married Mary Kay Mazoch on August 12, 1967. This union ended in 1974, although they remained friends for the rest of his life. John developed and ran a commercial trash hauling business in Houston which he sold in 1977.

John arrived in Ventura on October 31, 1977. He met his future wife, Carol Shipley, at a New Year's Eve party at his sister's house in 1981. They married February 6, 1983. They remained married until Carol's death on October 14, 2013. She was the love of his life.

John developed, promoted and ran a rubber stamp business in Ventura prior to becoming a travel agent. In 1988, John and Carol started a travel agency, Uniglobe Gold Coast Travel, with his sister, Sandy, and her husband, Woody. John continued to work as a travel agent until his death. John devoted himself to helping his clients, earning their loyalty and respect. He was very thorough and left no stone unturned to make sure each trip and request was fulfilled to his clients’ satisfaction and often beyond their expectations.

He also loved to travel and experienced many wonderful trips with Carol to Europe and cruises to various beautiful places including Tahiti and the Caribbean. They particularly loved Hawaii. John and Carol lived in Hawaii for 5 years. John had just returned from a Caribbean cruise in early November. John also enjoyed reading books on a variety of subjects and watching football. He was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

He is survived by his sister, Sandy Ironside; stepsons, Michael Shipley (Ali) of Blackfoot, Idaho and Scott Shipley (Mary) of Reno, Nevada; five step grandchildren, Travis, Charisma, Abby, Nicholas and Jeffrey; his niece, Ariel Dailey and her husband, Micah Jones; brother-in-law, Bob Dailey; cousins in Kansas and many good friends here and in Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com