John Joseph Giudice

John Joseph Giudice Jr., of Norman, Okla., a fisheries biologist whose pioneering research paved the way for commercial fish farming in the United States, died July 26. He was 93.

Born July 21, 1921 in St. Louis, Mo., to John Joseph Giudice Sr. and Angeline Marie Bellio Giudice, Giudice was the oldest and lone surviving son of Italian immigrants and raised in the Italian-American sector of St. Louis. Giudice, like so many members of America’s Greatest Generation, joined the Marine Corps in 1944. After the military he attended the University of Missouri where he studied ichthyology and zoology, earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in 1950.

In the early 1960s, while working as a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Giudice pioneered catfish culture for commercial purposes. Through his research and intensive efforts, Giudice perfected the breeding, growing and harvesting practices that made catfish a viable food source that could be farmed in the United States and used to feed millions of people. His methods are still employed in commercial fish farms worldwide. As a consultant in the private sector, Giudice’s fish-farming research included the fathead minnow and golden shiner, two popular baitfish utilized by recreational anglers that are still widely available thanks to farming practices he pioneered.

A student of science and admirer of natural things, Giudice instilled a similar passion for the outdoors in his sons, Gary and Ron, who joined him in his trips afield from a very early age. Giudice enjoyed and excelled at many hobbies, and relished in the undertaking of big, ambitious projects, from building his own home to completely restoring a Model A Ford. Even after his retirement from fisheries biology research in 1986, Giudice remained in Mississippi where he worked as a docent for the Jackson (Miss.) Zoo and continued to indulge his passions for hunting, fishing, gardening, falconry and the care of tropical fish. In 2002, Giudice moved to Norman to be closer to his family.

Giudice is preceded in death by his parents, John Joseph and Angeline Marie Bellio Giudice; an infant brother; and the mother of his two sons, Mrs. Eileen Pack.

Giudice is survived by two sons, Gary Giudice and wife, Thressa, of Norman; and Ron Giudice and wife, Tonya, of Blanchard, Okla.; four grandchildren, Angelina Giudice, and husband, Stephen Rickert, of Topanga, Calif.; Justin Giudice and wife, Tammie, of Oklahoma City; Keith Kirby and wife, Hollie, of Oklahoma City; Demea Yost and husband, Bobby, of Kingfisher, Okla.; and four great-grandchildren, Cody Yost, Kaycee Yost, Colton Yost and Cullen Kirby.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 10:30 am, at Primrose Funeral Services in Norman.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Primrose Funeral Service. For on-line condolences, visit www.primrosefuneralservice.com

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