John Meranda's Obituary
John “Jack” W. Meranda of Modesto, California, surrounded by his loved ones, went home to be with The Lord at the age of 92. He finished his earthly journey on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 3:45pm.Jack was born on November 4, 1924 to Anna Pauline and John Maranda in his grandmother’s home in Oakland, California. Jack grew up in Oakland with his older sister Genevieve and his best friend Uncle Charlie Joseph. He attended Castlemont High School where he competed on the school gymnastics team and where he met the love of his life, Shirley Simmons.Following his graduation in 1942, Jack joined the Teamsters Union Local #70 as a truck driver. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater. He was stationed in Hawaii where he trained for the Invasion of Japan. After Japan’s surrender Jack served in the Occupation Army as a chauffeur to military officers. He finished his tour in 1946 and returned to Oakland where he resumed his status as a truck driver.In 1950 while Jack was making a bakery delivery in Oakland, to his surprise, Shirley came out of her work place and greeted him. They rekindled their high school relationship and in July of 1951 Jack and Shirley were married and began their family life together with her son, Ron. In July of 1952 Jack, Shirley and Ron welcomed their daughter, Jo Lynne. Jack was very devoted and loved his family and Shirley was his loving partner and his rock.Jack and Shirley loved playing cards, traveling and supporting their local sports teams. They spent countless evenings playing pinochle with Uncle Charlie, his wife, and their good friends Mary and Gordon Erwin. Jack and Shirley loved the Oakland A’s and Oakland Raiders and attended many of their games. On one Super Bowl Sunday at a gathering at Mary Erwin’s, Jack and Shirley sported their Raider attire in spite of the fact that Mary and her family were all wearing Red & Gold 49er shirts. These simple memories remind us of the great times we were fortunate to share together.Jack always enjoyed nice cars and kept them immaculate. He loved his Cadillacs! He eventually bought his boyhood favorite, a 1934 Yellow Ford 5 Window Coupe.Together with Ron he loved showing it at various car shows and loved taking his granddaughters in style to their high school sport practices.Sadly, in January of 2001, Shirley passed away and Jack was devastated. He reached out for comfort from family and friends. Mary, who had recently lost her husband, spent time with Jack and included him in her large family, which he had known for years. Jack and Mary had bowled on the same team some 60 years earlier.In April of 2002 Jack and Mary were married at Mary’s Foursquare Gospel Church in Modesto. This soon became Jack’s home church. He grew up in the Catholic Church, was an altar boy and sang in the church choir. Attending an evangelical church was quite a change for him. Jack was later baptized by Pastor Swett, the same Pastor who had married Jack and Mary.Jack and Mary shared many interests and experiences, and some of their favorites were dinners with Mary’s family that ended with games of Uno, several cruises, traveling to visit Jack’s children in Tennessee and Oregon and Mary’s granddaughter in Idaho, visiting family in Las Vegas and Washington, and visiting Branson Missouri.Jack was a true steward to all, and led his family by example. He provided for others, and many times without them or anyone else knowing. He and Shirley cared for his parents in their elderly years, making sure they had a good quality of life. They cared for Shirley’s mother in their home for 15 years until she passed away from Alzheimer’s.From very humble beginnings, Jack grew into an exemplary man. He was loving, caring, and provided well for his family. He was a constant source of support and guidance for his children and grandchildren. He attended his grandchildren’s many plays, sporting events, dance recitals, and would customarily take them for donuts on Saturday mornings. Sunday dinners, family vacations, holiday celebrations, and life events were most important to Jack.Having left a wonderful legacy, he will be missed by so many but mostly by his loving wife and family.He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Mary, his son Ron, his daughter Jo Meranda Thompson, his son-in-law Marc Thompson, his step son-in-law Terry Erwin, his step daughter-in-law Lisa Erwin, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.Jack’s Memorial will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00am at Foursquare Gospel Church, 510 Burney Street, Modesto. Interment will be at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California.
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