John Alnas passed away, with his family at his side, on Sunday, at the age of 74.
John was a lifetime citizen of San Juan Bautista. He attended San Juan Elementary School and San Benito High School. He was CCAL All-League in Basketball. He also participated in football and track.
John joined the Army and served in the Korean War as a paratrooper in The 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (Rakkasans). He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
After returning from the war, he married Lupe Valenzuela of Phoenix, Arizona. They raised their family of four children in San Juan Bautista. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary November 27, 2004. John was a truck driver for 40 years and was an active member of the Teamsters Union, Local #287 of San Jose.
John was very active in city and county government. He was a Councilman and the Mayor of San Juan Bautista. He was also Chairman for the Council of San Benito County Governments, (COG).
John was very active in the VFW. He was a member and a Commander of the Leslie L. Garrett Post 6359, as well as Junior Vice Commander for the 12th District. He was also Chapter President for the Rakkasans. He received the Lulac Veteran of the Year Award in 2005.
John was an active member of the Filipino-American Community of San Benito County and served as President from 1988-1992.
John was a dedicated family man. He loved his wife and children and adored his grandchildren. He loved his community and his country. He was a 49’er faithful. He had a passion for cooking and entertaining.
He was the oldest of nine children, but a “Big Brother” to many. You could always count on John if you needed help or as a friend. His family is very proud of him and we will all miss him dearly.
John is survived by his wife Lupe Alnas; his son John Alnas and spouse Cynthia, his son Gilbert Alnas and spouse, Cindy, all of San Juan Bautista; his daughter Vera Clark and husband Roger of Ventura; and his daughter Cindy Smiley and husband Jack Jr., of Hollister, granddaughters: Stephanie and Rebecca Alnas, Kali and Mylah Smiley; grandsons: David Dunn, Roger-John Clark, and Zackery Alnas; his sister Carmen “Anita” Martinez of Mendota; his brothers: Julian R. Alnas, of Salinas, Ernest H. Alnas and Raymond E. Alnas of San Juan Bautista; and sister Rose Lawton, of Castroville; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Ramona Alnas; sister Erlinda Alnas; brothers: Willie and Joe Alnas.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 30th at Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister, from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M., with the rosary offered at 7:00 P.M. Family and friends will leave the mortuary Saturday morning at 10:45 A.M. for a Mass Of The Resurrection at 11:30 A.M. at Old Mission San Juan Bautista. Interment, San Juan District Cemetery. Reception will follow at the San Juan V.F.W. Hall. Donations are preferred to Leslie L. Garrett Post 6359, c/o the funeral home chapel.
