John Thomas Upmeier was born December 29th, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. After a full, well-lived life, he passed away after a 21 year battle with Parkinson's in his home under hospice care, surrounded by his family and friends.
John attended St. John's Seminary. He changed plans; graduated with a major in Philosophy and went off to marry his lifelong love, Darleen Marie Moore, in 1969.
John enlisted in the United States Air Force, becoming an officer and F4 navigator. He bravely flew in combat during the Vietnam War, stationed in De Nang. He then was stationed with his growing family in England for 3 years.
John and Darleen had two daughters. John was always proud that both daughters were born in California; Jennifer, at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento and Deborah, at Washington Hospital in Fremont.
Once completion of service with the Air Force, he moved to Pleasanton to work at Del Monte in Alameda. John worked tirelessly at Del Monte for 30 years working as a Warehouse Manager in Alameda, Emeryville, San Jose and Modesto. Many projects at work and at home benefited from his attention to deatil, love of details, tracking details in spreadsheets and reviewing details! His home benefited from his designs. Both Darleen and John loved to be in their yard and created a paradise for all those that came to visit.
John was active in the Val Vista Neighborhood Christian Community who have met fairly regularly at Lori and Jim Murphy's for over 25 years. Over the years, John was instrumental in helping Lori establish and run the People to People Charity, which assists orphans in India, children in Afghanistan, and locally.
As "Dad", John welcomed and absorbed the love and respect of many. The list included Jenniffer's husband, Marc Eis with grandchildren John and Clara; and Debbie's husband Mike Bangoli with grandsons Dominic and Dylan; John's Brother Robert Upmeier with his son Thomas Upmeier, Daughter, Rebecca, her husband, Pete and their son, Bowen; Darleen's twin sister, Collen, with husband Bill and family; Jeff with Chelsea and their daughter Lydia, Danny and daughter Kaasen, John William, step daughter Megan, and Molly with her husband Rob.
John always wanted a large family and he had many that joined the Upmeier clan. Those considered family include Todd Cinani; Ko Patrick Fukagawa; Nancy and Roi Rivera with grandchildren Jasmine, Garret and Lucas; Bernadette and Gaby Daya with granddaughter Sophia and grandson Gaby Jr.; James and Peris Thairu; as well as, Trevor and Linda Kelly with Charlotte and Ava. Finally, John was blessed to have lived with absolutely wonderful people: the Empire Court Gang; Bob and Jeanne Allen, his lifelong Air Force friends; Del Monte co-workers and their spouses; St. John's Seminary classmates, as well as dear and cherished friends and care-givers. John, you can now rest.
Services will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton's, 4001 Stoneridge Dr. Pleasanton, CA. Vigil: June 20th, 6:00 PM, Funeral Mass: June 21st, 10:00 AM.
For questions please contact Tom Luzod at Sorensen Chapel: 510-581-1234. Donations can be made to People to People Foundation or Sisters of the Holy Names
