John Wilson, 45-year resident of Wofford Heights passed away after a car accident on November 30, 2024. He was 68.
John was the son of Jack and Nellie Wilson. He was proud of his parents who met and married while skating in the Roller Derby. He was especially proud of his dad who later became a stuntman and was dubbed the “Human Torch”. He adored his mom and they had many adventures together after his dad passed away.
John could do just about anything. That was clear from the time he was a little boy. He was building and rebuilding Baja bugs and Chevy vans by the time he was 18. He also did well in Horticulture while in school. He loved to garden when he was a boy even though he was allergic to grass.
He was also a daredevil. He wasn’t afraid of anything. Whether racing bikes with his friends downhill without brakes or jumping things on his motorcycle like Evil Kinevil. As a tree trimmer, he once scaled a tree over 50 feet high.
Never content to sit around, John had two jobs in high school. He was always doing or building something. He was ambitious and hardworking and wanted to make his parents and sisters proud.
He worked for Union Oil in Westwood for a time during the early 1980s. But he was restless and curious and always looking for something to investigate, take a part, or find.
He found all that he could ever want and more when he moved to Wofford Heights in 1987. His property was a treasure trove of his own making. He was a collector his whole life, something he learned from his dad.
He owned and operated John’s Yard and Lot for over 20 years. He was indispensable to residents of Wofford Heights and beyond. If anyone needed anything you could always count on Good Neighbor John.
Most of all, he was proud of his story telling. He liked nothing better than to regale people with his unbelievable stories. Many featured him almost dying. His family thought he had nine lives, and he used up every one of them.
He loved his family and was proud of them all. He was a happy guy who lived life on his own terms, and he wasn’t afraid to tell you what he really thought. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for anybody. His sisters always had a man they could count on in their brother.
He will be remembered as a thoughtful, kind, funny, sweet, talkative, a little cantankerous, and a lot mischievous brother, uncle, son, and friend.
There are not enough good adjectives to sum him up. His loss is huge for many and he will be dearly missed. John would be touched by the outpouring of love following his accident.
His beloved dog Mac was adopted by a good friend, Mike Freeman. He will rest in peace knowing that.
He is survived by his Uncle Douglas Montague, sisters Lori Guay, Carrie Wilson; his brother in law, Dan Guay; his nephew and niece Bobby Castorina and Danielle Marquardt, their spouses Adrienn Castorina and Brian Marquardt; his nieces Ashley Evans and Summers Evans; Ashley’s fiancé, Tate; his grandnieces Jackson, Hannah, and his grand-dogs, Tiffany, Jenny, Coco, Phoebe and Mary.
A memorial will be held on January 25, 2025 at his home at 12 noon. Please RSVP to [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kern Valley Rescue and or plant a tree for John at A Living Tribute.com.
