John Herzick
November 19, 1929 - March 2, 2026
John passed away March 2, 2026 at the age of 96.
John was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio. John took after his father in mathematical and engineering abilities. His father was an inventor who passed away when he was just 7 years old. As a young boy, he built his own bicycle so he could have a paper route to earn extra money. In high school he took wood shop and made beautiful furniture including a cedar chest and magazine stand that still look like new today in his home and in his daughter’s home. He was a natural mechanic and his abilities shined when he got a job working at a gas station while in high school.
He was 18 when he drove his mother and sister out to California to join his brother Felix and his family in Stockton. The three of them settled in a small home on Market Street where he, his mom and sister became established in the community.
He was an excellent mechanic and craftsman and soon was taken under the wing of his brother’s brother-in-law, Lou Mollen, who taught him the brick mason business. He was a natural with bricklaying and the building industry. He excelled quickly and became a journeyman running jobs at a very young age. His work can be seen throughout Stockton in the Filipino Center, the brickwork at UOP, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and numerous homes in Morada and Park Woods where he did custom fireplaces, entry ways, etc. He also did a lot of work in the Lake Tahoe area as well as the Bay Area.
John was in the National Guard for 7 years where he made the rank of sergeant and was in charge of the motor pool, assistant section chief (radio) and rifle marksman.
He made lasting friendships with Ernie Medina and John Catanzaro, and they were in the National Guard together and the Elks. Their friendship continued on after their marriages and starting families and were often together at picnics, bar-b-que’s and family parties. Their children were good friends and the three men’s extended families all were friends, including brothers and sisters, in-laws and their children.
John was a life member of the Stockton Elks lodge and had just been awarded for 75 years of service to the BAC Local 3. The union wrote an article on him in the BAC Local 3 News acknowledging his 75 year accomplishment. He was very proud to receive this award this past November 2025.
John was a loving, kind and patient man. He was good with children who gravitated to him. He would take his nephew and his wife’s nephews fishing, on trips to Yosemite, Micke Grove and other places. He and his daughter Lisa would go to wrestling matches, fishing, baseball games, horseback riding and fun trips to Micke Grove, Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. She was his assistant /side kick on all house projects.
John married the love of his life, Dolores (Dee) Arnaiz. They were married 65 years until she passed in March 2018. They met through mutual friends and enjoyed going to dinner dances, to dinner shows in Lake Tahoe with friends, and entertaining family and friends in their home. They did a lot of family gatherings with both sides of the family including holiday and birthday parties, picnics, family reunions, etc.
John is survived by his loving daughter, Lisa Herzick, his nephew Jerry Herzick (Phyllis), great nephews Matthew Herzick and Andrew Herzick (Ashley) and great great niece Adaleen Herzick and great great nephew Bronson Herzick.
He is preceded in death by his wife Dolores, parents John and Mary Herzick, brother and sister-in-law Felix and Liz Herzick, his sister Elizabeth and her husband John DeAmicis, and sister in-laws Agnes Arnaiz Romo (Ray), Marie Arnaiz Livpovsky (Tom), brother-in-law Rudy (Buzz) Arnaiz (Gene), Ismael Ventura Arnaiz III (Treva), Eugene Arnaiz and Don Stevens. He is survived by his brother-in-law Howard Arnaiz (Lacey), sister-in-law LaVerne Arnaiz Stevens, and sister-in-law Shirley Arnaiz and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews from Dee’s side of the family.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm-7:00pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in the Merlot Room in Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
Service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, March 27, 2026 in the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA.
If you prefer to send a donation in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to:
Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Herzick family.
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