John Gilbert Velarde

John Gilbert Velarde of Long Beach, California passed away on April 15, 2016. A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel. Services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 2:30 pm in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel with a graveside service to follow. Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 893-2421

JOHN G. VELARDE

June 15, 1947-April 15, 2016

My loving husband of 47 years passed away on April 15, 2016. I am Aletha Janette. We have 2 children, Shannon May & husband Matthew Noel Timney and John Marshall Velarde & wife Alison Yang Velarde. John has 3 grandchildren, Noah Clark and Faith Elizabeth and Tyler Thomas.

John was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Long Beach. He attended Millikan High School and was drafted into the US Army in 1966. He spent a year in Viet Nam and received the Bronze Star with V for his heroism. When he returned back to the states John and I were married in 1968. In 1972 we moved to Laguna Hills, CA, to raise our children. He worked at McDonnell-Douglas prior to being drafted and returned to Douglas after Viet Nam. He, also, worked at General Dynamics on Gulfstream jets. During years of being laid-off we started our own business of Saddleback Valley Security located in Orange County, CA. We had many long-time loyal customers for 30 years. John was an expert in installing and servicing security systems. He was able to figure out the most complicated applications.

Then in 2006 he was suffering from numbness in his leg and started having trouble walking.. The doctors discovered a tumor on his spinal cord. He went through surgery to have it removed. Afterwards, the doctors discovered a tumor in his brain, which they would not surgically remove. In 2008, his thinking became very muddled and the doctors then diagnosed Alzheimer's/Dementia. He progressively worsened for 8 years fighting each and every day the disease that was taking his ability to think clearly and communicate.

John loved life! He loved people! He always put a wonderful twist to what he was doing and made it fun! We ,miss his joking fun-loving character!