John S. Avila

John was born on May 24, 1935, in Oxnard, CA. He was the son of the late Santiago and Leonarda Avila.

In December of 1958, John married Lucila in Los Angeles, CA. Together, the couple reared their five children in Pico Rivera, CA.

A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, John leaves his beloved family to cherish his memory, including his wife of fifty-eight years, Lucila, Daughter Terri, Sons John Jr., Dan, Andy and Fred, daughters-in-law Tiffani, Laurie and Alexa, thirteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brother Jimmy, and two sisters, Alice and Lucy.

John graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, CA, in 1954. In June of 1958, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served active duty in the 24th Division of the 1st Infantry in Germany from 1958-1960 and stateside in the reserves from 1960-1964. After his military service, John worked in the office supply business for the rest of his career. He started his own business, JSA Sales Company, in 1970. John was known for his generosity in donating school supplies every year to local kids and families in need.

John will be remembered as a mentor to the numerous boys he coached in baseball at the Rivera Baseball Association. He managed the Pee-Wee Division Indian’s and A's while coaching each of his four sons. He also served on the board in different capacities, including treasurer. He was a member of the Yum Yum Tree Committee at Rivera Park. He was an avid sports fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the University of Southern California Trojans. Even in retirement, John expressed his love for baseball through his active participation with the Pico Rivera Go-Getters senior softball team and the senior softball teams in Hemet. He played in tournaments as well as participated in the Senior Olympics with the Go-Getters.

John enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada.

John was an active lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7734, where he served on the board. He also served at the American Legion at Post 411 in Pico Rivera.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or online at woundedwarriorproject.org

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel - Morrow's, Pico Rivera, CA.