Johnny Molina

Johnny Molina, beloved father, son, and brother passed away on June 28, 2022, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, who were privileged to be with him as he passed from this world to the next.

Johnny was born on August 21, 1979 at General Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He was the fifth child of Fausto & Lupe Molina. His early years were spent in Boyle Heights with his older siblings Luis, Araceli, Dili, and Henry and his younger brothers Larry and Richie. Johnny would say that he moved from the concrete jungle of Los Angeles to the wide open spaces of Hesperia, California, which he embraced throughout his life. As a child, Johnny loved the freedom he found in the desert, riding his bike with his brothers and friends on Fourth Street and beyond, exploring the desert and getting into old-fashioned childhood trouble.

From his formative years running around dusty Hesperia neighborhoods, to his final days as a father, friend and business owner, Johnny was always the funniest person in any room. Johnny was quick-witted with funny jokes and observations that were hilarious when he said them, but might not even get a chuckle if anyone else did. There was just something unique about his sense of humor - people couldn't help but to laugh as he retold stories, cracked jokes, and kept his friends and family humble with his funny comments about the most random things, like what they were wearing, or if they were trying out a new hairstyle. Those that knew Johnny well have laughed till they cried more times than they can count. The ability to make people laugh is one the most lasting memories of Johnny; it was a gift to all he encountered.

Johnny was artistic. He had a very specific sense of style that showed his artistic nature. He spent time in his youth, teenage years, and early adulthood drawing and sketching, with his most frequent subjects being music; comic book themes; and aliens. In school, he took several art classes, including sculpture. His teachers always used his work as examples for other students to follow. Whether with pencils, watercolor, or clay - Johnny had an amazing ability to create something intriguing and captivating. In adulthood, this talent was evident in his trade as a barber, in his superior pumpkin carving skills, and in the impressive way he wrapped gifts - intricately, thoughtfully, beautifully.

When Johnny loved something, he loved it BIG. He loved: classic cars, vespas, music & tattoos. From his early years to his last, Johnny loved fishing, whether at the ocean or on a lake. He would often reminisce about fishing at Redondo Beach as a young kid, with his dad and brothers. Johnny loved his Mexican heritage. He loved tradition and America. He loved

conspiracy theories and the history channel. He loved documentaries, and both western and gangster movies. Johnny loved to cook, to barbeque, and to throw some meat into the smoker. Johnny loved board games - he could do a mean Steve Harvey impression when playing Family Feud. Johnny loved big family trips - he planned an especially memorable trip to Knotts where he spent hours winning his daughters armfuls of carnival prizes. He loved camping trips with his siblings, whether in tents or crowding into a cabin or two in the mountains. Despite his tough appearance, Johnny loved to sew. He lovingly sewed Halloween costumes for his daughters as well as merit badges on their girl scouts uniforms. And famously, he sewed patch after patch on his two prized jackets, one of them affectionately known as “Sweet Patches.”

Johnny had a generous heart. Stories have been shared widely of Johnny’s spontaneous generosity. When it was least expected, Johnny might show up on the doorstep of a friend, or a brother or sister, with a gift so meaningful, so unexpected, and so generous, that even in the retelling of these gestures years later, it brings tears to the eyes of those listening. He also had a special heart for giving to those coming up behind him, to those that were just making their way through their teen years into adulthood. He’d give his video games to younger cousins who loved playing them or give a pair of doc martens to a friend who couldn’t afford them. Johnny was generous with his time, too. His daughter Abigail cherishes the time they spent together exploring the sciences, spending hours poring through science books and watching documentaries, helping to encourage her studies in biology. His generosity was consistent in both good and difficult times - Johnny always had a deep love for his family & friends.

Johnny was many things to many people: father, son, brother, boyfriend, cousin, uncle, and friend. He cherished those closest to him: his loving mother, his girlfriend Vanessa; his best friend Zeidi. Johnny fiercely loved and valued his lifelong relationships with his brothers Luis, Henry, Larry & Richie, his close friendship with his sister Dili, and the steady guidance he found in his relationship with his sister Araceli. He also had great love for his "bonus" brothers and sisters: Sonia, Crystal, Barbie, Panama, Jorge, and Danny.

Johnny is survived by his daughters Emily & Abigail - his pride & joy whom he loved most in this world. Johnny was so proud of his girls: of their accomplishments, of their proper taste in music, of their sense of humor which he took credit for, and of their appreciation of Marvel over DC. This world was blessed with 42 years of Johnny Molina’s laugh and smile and heart. Our hearts are broken for our loss. We seek comfort in the knowledge that Johnny is at peace in heaven for eternity, with his beloved brother Henry.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Molina family.