John “Kenneth” Shuemake, 86, was born in Oakland, California, on June11, 1938. He passed away in Fresno, California, on May 21, 2025.
After his birth, his family moved back to Texas for a short time and then settled in Firebaugh, California with his mother, father, and four sisters. He enlisted in the air force at the age of 17 and spent some of his time in Wyoming, Okinawa, and Atwater which he often told “stories” about. Upon discharge he met his loving wife, Flora Mae, and they were married for 55 years until her death in 2015. Together they raised four children, and a few “extras” along the way in Firebaugh, where he called home for the remainder of his life. He was always a phone call away sending love and advice whenever it was needed by his children and all the others who called him “Pops”.
Kenneth worked as a truck driver most of his life. His work was hard and contained long hours, often arriving home at dinnertime to eat with his family and then sleep until the early hours of the next day. He taught his children commitment to family, hard work and purpose. He worked for his father’s trucking business for most of his years, helping him build a company that would successfully support his family. Eventually, he became the owner/operator of the company and worked along-side his son until he was forced to retire at 74 due to back and heart issues.
He did whatever he pleased in retirement - spending time with his family, going to Seniors, watching westerns during the week and the races on the weekend. He and Flo also became involved in church where they spent time with many friends and family as they shared in the teachings of Christ. His Christian faith comforted him during several health battles and led him in the later years of life.
His favorite pastime was being Papa to his 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. They were the light of his life, and you knew it when his face lit up with a great big smile whenever he saw them or talked to them on the phone. His grandchildren made him a better person and his love will forever be remembered.
Kenneth will always be admired for his love for his family, work ethic and the integrity he showed to all those around him. We are very grateful for the extra years he was given and he will be sorely missed.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Flora Mae, son, Jody Brian, great grandson, J.J. Judd, parents, J.B. and Alma Shuemake, brother, John, Jr., and sisters, Dorice Fannon and Audra Hughes. He is survived by his children, Kim (Tom) Judd, Patrick (Pam) Shuemake, Loree (Ron) Demmers, grandchildren, Anthony (Maria) Rodriguez, Jon Judd (Kelsey), Stephanie (Joey) Dias, Christopher (Becca) Demmers, Kayla Judd, Mackenzie (Nick) Marmolejo, sisters, Mary (Travis) Chetwood, Mattie (Louis) Lane, his great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service for Kenneth will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 S. Cornelia, Fresno, CA 93706. Donations may be made to the Jody Shuemake Scholarship Fund, United Security Bank, 1067 ‘O’ Street, Firebaugh, Ca. or Olive Branch Community Church, 1660 ‘O’ Street, Firebaugh Ca. in his honor.
