John Fitzgerald Erden

John Fitzgerald Erden, 74, resident of Fort Bragg, CA, passed away on February 5, 2025 at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Born on January 18, 1951, in Hanford, John was a long-time resident of Morro Bay. John and his family moved to Morro Bay from the Central Valley in 1960. John attended Morro Elementary and Morro Bay Jr./Sr. High School.

John volunteered for the draft in December 1969, doing his infantry training for the U.S. Army in Fort Ord, California and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served in the Vietnam Conflict from June 1970 to July 1971. He was a member of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), where he was stationed at Fire Support Base Mary Ann, in the Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1971 and was awarded a Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service in connection with military operations.

Returning to Morro Bay after the service, John spent some time commercial fishing before eventually finding himself in the construction trades, becoming a skilled carpenter and homebuilder. John built several custom homes throughout the county, along with contributing to the construction, maintenance and management of several family businesses. Most notably, he was essential to the construction of the Otter Rock Cafe along the Embarcadero and an avocado orchard in Morro Bay as well as maintenance of the family’s longtime restaurant, The Hungry Fisherman. After several years of hard work and patience, John, along with his brother Steve, eventually built a 60 acre avocado operation. John was a skillful avocado farmer. He not only managed his own groves, but also lent his expertise and assistance to surrounding orchards.

In 2016, John decided to relocate to Fort Bragg in Northern California. John had always loved the Fort Bragg area, as he had spent many vacations there camping and diving for abalone.

John was an excellent cook, loved fishing, playing cards and testing his luck at the casino.

John loved animals, especially his beloved border collies, Ginger and Missy, who are missing him dearly. John lived a life marked by dedication, craftsmanship and generosity toward those closest to him.

Preceding John in death, are his parents Carl and Sophie (Silva) Erden and his brother Steve Erden.

John is survived by his brother Rex Erden of Morro Bay, sister Joanne (Erden) Kann of Morro Bay, nephews Clinton Hart of Los Osos and Clayton Shiflett of Morro Bay, nieces Ashley (Erden) Bramon and Michelle Voisenat of Morro Bay and Melissa Voisenat of Kerman.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:00am at Los Osos Valley Mortuary and Memorial Park at 2260 Los Osos Valley Road, followed by a graveside service at 11:30am. A reception will take place afterward at 253 Montana Way, Los Osos. All are welcome to join in remembering and celebrating John’s life.