John Melvin Wassum

John passed away at the age of 90 in Hughson, California. He was the son of John Hunter Wassum and Gladys Wassum. John’s great grandparents settled in Monticello, California in the 1800’s, where the homestead would be flooded to give rise to what would become known as Lake Berryessa. After they were told they needed to move, the family went on to settle in the Napa Valley. As adults, John Hunter and his brothers, moved to Gratton – Mont Pelier in the Central Valley, where they farmed grain. This is where John M Wassum spent his childhood on the Hickman Ranch. John was born in Atwater, California. He rode his horse to Gratton Elementary School and then went on to attend Hughson High School, graduating in 1940. Upon graduation, John attended California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo where he played football. He played both running back and linebacker and was well known for his speed and agility. He is in the record books at Cal Poly for the most interceptions in one game. During his junior year, John enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he served during World War II. Upon returning from his service, John would marry his high school sweetheart, Barbara Hudelson in 1946. John worked for his father raising grain until 1951, and then he and his wife took over Barbara’s father’s peach ranch eventually farming cherries and almonds in Hughson. His son, Mike and wife, Lori, currently farm the ranch. John was active in Young Farmer’s and was a volunteer for the Hughson Fire Department for many years. He also played on an amateur baseball team known as the Sperry’s. He was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, and loved to gold pick. His travels with wife, Barbara took them to South Africa to hunt on safari, annual hunting trips to Wyoming, and their most favorite destination, the Hawaiian Islands. One fond memory he liked to share was kissing the Blarney Stone while in Ireland. Family was an important part of John’s life and he took great pride in his family. John is pre-deceased by his sister, Lorrine, who died in 1963, and his wife of 65 years, Barbara, who died in 2011. John is survived by his sister, Chloe Fonda, his three children and their spouses: Barbara and Cleve Willis, Janis and John Skaggs, and Mike and Lori Wassum, seven grandchildren: Michael Willis, Lisa White, Michael Skaggs, Johnny Skaggs, Natalie Wassum, Erin Wassum, and Ryan Wassum, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to his caregivers, Phyllis Hawkins, Debbie Massey, Shellie Hawkins, Tammy Miller, Delores Gardener, Lorie Simon, Shari Cantal, and the wonderful staff at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Visitation will be Friday, January 11 from 4:00-8:00pm and Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 12 at 11:00am, both will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 2201 Euclid Avenue, Hughson, California 95326 or the Hughson United Methodist Church , P.O. Box 129, Hughson, California 95326.