John James Kreel was born on March 8, 1953, to Steve and Betty Kreel. John had three siblings, older brother Steve, (who was killed in 1963 in a car accident), and two sisters, Michele and Pam. He also had several nieces and nephews.
Although being engaged twice, John never married but was lucky to inherit his darling two granddaughters Kristin and Madison. He also had two great grandchildren, Haislee and Knox James (named after John).
John excelled in several sports including football, basketball, and swimming in high school. He also swam for C.O.S. and took second in California. After high school, he played racquetball (winning several tournaments), WallyBall, volleyball and golf. He was very competitive in those sports except golf which he called his drinking sport although he did well in the Corcoran Calcutta winning it twice. He also played with the Buddha’s Bad Co. starting in 1975 for about 20 years. They played basketball, fast pitch baseball and volleyball where they “took care of business” every year. He also coached his nephews, Bryan and Brad to many championships in YBA basketball. He was Brooke’s (his niece) first basketball coach.
John took over his dad’s painting business in 1984, and continued with it for the rest of his life. He was much loved by family and friends. You could tell if he was in a building if you heard “huluvsya” baby (because that was his favorite saying and he used it frequently) or if music was blaring to classic rock and roll, mainly his favorite song, “Taking Care of Business”.
“I had a great life and a great family. Love you all. Thanks for putting up with me, especially you Pam, at the end and taking me to all of my appointments and being by my side.”-John.
Donations can be made in John’s memory to the American Cancer Society, the Jason Gomez Memorial Scholarship, the Darrell Frey Memorial Scholarship or the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, March 2 at 11 a.m. in the Recreation Association of Corcoran Senior Center. John has requested that everyone please dress casual and he would like the men to wear shorts and hats like he would.
