John E.
”
Jack
”
Cousins, a 35-year resident of San Juan Bautista, died Monday
April 11, 2005 at his residence from a short illness.
John E. “Jack” Cousins , a 35-year resident of San Juan Bautista, died Monday April 11, 2005 at his residence from a short illness.
Mr. Cousins was born April 26, 1929 in DeWitt, Michigan. He worked as City Administrator and Public Works Director for the City of San Juan Bautista. He retired from Quantic-Holex in 1995.
He was a member of Mission San Juan Bautista. a director of the Fiesta Rodeo, chairman of the Kiddie Parade, and a San Juan Fire Dept. volunteer. He also was a member of the 187th Rakkasans Angels Over Hell Chapter, the Mission Mixers Square Dance Club, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, UAW Union, Moose Lodge, Gavilan Football Boosters Club, and a Boy Scout leader. He was a life member of the VFW of San Juan and Hollister.
Mr. Cousins dedicated his time working on the barbecue crew and also worked on the maintenance crew for the VFW building for 20 years. He helped barbecue for the Fiesta Rodeo, San Juan Fire Dept., St. Francis Retreat House and the Hollister Chamber of Commerce.
He loved to take the bus to Reno and the Indian Casinos with his friends. He enjoyed karaoke, dancing and parties with his friends.
Mr. Cousins served in U.S. Army as a paratrooper from Aug. 1948 to May 1952. He earned the rank of Sergeant (T) on Dec. 20, 1950. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars and one Arrowhead, the United Nations Service Medal, Prcht/GLI Badge, the Occupation Medal for Japan, and other awards for service to his country.
He is survived by his wife, (Donna) Joann Cousins; sons, Joe Cousins of San Juan Bautista, Jerry Cousins and wife Tamara of California City, Jeff Cousins and wife Stacie of Salinas; daughter, Sue Lupfer of Wenatchee, Wash.; sister, Eleanor Greer and husband Alvin of Newman; brother, Frank Cousins and wife Dottie of Soquel, Leonard Cousins and wife Liz of Mishawaka, Ind.; sister-in-law, Gwen Keel of Lucedale, Miss.; grandsons, Jarrod and Jacob Cousins of Hollister, Joseph Cousins of San Francisco, Joshua Cousins of San Diego, Joseph Lupfer of Wenatchee, Jason Welch of Fort Hood, Texas, and Samuel John Cousins of Salinas; granddaughters, Melinda Keeler and Melanie Pedersen of Wash.; great-children, Kyle and Peyton Keeler, Brittni and Brandon Pedersen, and JoJo Lupfer of Wash.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George W. Cousins and Florence Greer; sister, Lorraine Prytz; and brother, Leslie Cousins.
Visitation will be held from 10am to 8pm Friday April 15, 2005, at the chapel of the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St. in Hollister, with the Rosary being recited at 7pm. Family and friends will leave mortuary chapel at 10:30am on Saturday proceeding to Old Mission San Juan Bautista, 2nd and Mariposa streets, San Juan Bautista for a Mass at 11am. Interment will follow at the Veterans Section of San Juan Cemetery.
A reception and a memorial tribute will follow the burial at the San Juan Bautista VFW Building.
Donations may be made to VFW Building fund, Hospice of the Central Coast or Jack Cousins Annual Memorial Scholarship fund at San Benito bank acct. #64208549.
