Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 08/26/2014 03:18 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 08/27/2014 07:45 AM
Expires: 01/01/2019 12:00 AM
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In Loving Memory of John Vincent Vierra, 1923~2014
Sonora, CA...John Vierra died unexpectedly on August 23, 2014, at the Avalon Care Center in Sonora. He was 91 years old. John was born in Oakland, California to John and Mary Vierra, almond ranchers, living in Oakley, California. He was a graduate of Liberty High School in Brentwood, California and served in the Air Force during World War II....
In 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Mattie, and in 1948 the couple moved to Angels Camp and had two boys, Randy and Brad. The couple celebrated over 65 years of marriage. In 1959, John returned to his ranching roots and moved his family to an 18 acre ranch in the old gold rush era town of Carson Hill. During that time, John served as Fire Commissioner for the Altaville/Melones Fire District. In 1966, with the help of John Hertzig, a local cattle rancher, they started the Bret Harte Quarterback Club where John served as the first president. John was also an active member of the Angels Gun Club and the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West. In 1971 the couple sold their ranch and relocated to Murphys where they remained into their retirement.
From 1948 to 1978, John worked as a wholesale hardware salesman for several Bay Area and Stockton businesses. His service area included Tuolumne, Calaveras and Amador counties. In 1978, John and Mattie became the owners and operators of the Sears Catalog Store, located in the Mark Twain Shopping Center, in Angels Camp. They remained owners until 1993 when the Sears, Roebuck Company closed their retail catalog businesses.
From 1960 to 1968, John served on the Mark Twain Elementary School District Board. In 1968, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Bret Harte High School District. He remained as an active member of the Board for 29 years, where he often served as Board President. Upon his retirement from the Board and in recognition of his years of service in the field of education, the John Vierra High School was established.
John was preceded in death by his wife Mattie; parents John and Mary Vierra; and sister Justine Duarte. He is survived by his sons Randy Vierra of Murphys and Brad and daughter-in-law Amy Vierra and grandsons Andrew and Phillip all of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by his niece and husband, Margie and Jack DeFremery, nephew Jerry and wife Babe Duarte, and nephew Joseph and wife Kay Duarte.
Services will be held at the St. Patrick’s Church in Angels Camp at 11:00 am on Friday, September 5, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to the John Vierra High School, POBox 208, Altaville, CA 95221.
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