John O. Borges (Johnny) was born on January 27, 1928, at home in Norwalk California. He was the 3rd child born to Joao (John) and Maria Borges Ourique and has an older brother and sister, Manuel (97) and Mary (95). He grew up in Carmenita and attended Carmenita Elementary. The family dairy was so close to the school, he would walk with his brother and sister. He liked school for Arithmetic and sports. His teacher also taught sports…baseball for one….which is where he fell in love with the sport. Johnny attended continuation school after 8th grade for only one year. His love for baseball continued throughout his life though, and he played on many teams in the Artesia area. He continued to work on the family dairy, but was drafted in the Army on April 25, 1946 where he served for one year in Yokahama (Occupied Japan). He returned home on April 22, 1947. He was 19 and already knew who he was going to marry. It was love at first sight…when he was 15 he saw Angelica Mancebo (13) at Parkers Hardware Store in Artesia. That was it! They were married on April 30, 1949 after she graduated high school. He and his brother Manuel had a dairy together in Artesia, on Marquardt Street, and there Johnny and Jackie had five children, John, Renee, Kathleen, Valerie and Pamela. In December 1962, they moved to Chino to start a dairy business of their own. Kevin was born the following September. Johnny didn’t have time for baseball leagues anymore since he was a “one man show” for nine years on the dairy, but…he always had time for church, visiting with family and friends, festas where Johnny and Jackie loved to dance at the hall, bowling, trips to Las Vegas, sporting events, sand duning and camping…he loved camping.
Johnny was a hard worker, but he also loved having fun. He loved teasing and always had some funny comeback….AND….he had a loud and distinctive laugh. Johnny was also fast at anything he did… and so it is not surprising that on September 5th, after hanging his beloved American flag with his usual salute, while enjoying his morning coffee , he closed his eyes for his normal quick nap and after a few deep breaths, simply left this earth to enter Heaven. Fast…just like he liked it.
Even though he leaves his wife, Jackie of 69 years, his five children, 13 grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren…we KNOW he is in Heaven with his daughter Valerie, grandson John Carl and great grandson Colin. We know he is happy…
and he is laughing again.
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