Jack Virgil Fiori
January 27, 1931 - May 15, 2026
Jack was born in Lodi on January 27, 1931, and went to be with Jesus on May 15, 2026, at the age of 95.
Jack married his high-school sweetheart Joyce Ulmer in 1951. They were blessed with 43 years of marriage, and together they raised 2 sons, Jack and Joseph. Jack’s wife Joyce passed away in 1994. Jack and Joyce were the first couple to marry at the newly constructed Zion Reformed Church on Ham Lane. While a member there, he served on the Elders Board, including one term as president. For the last 16 years, he faithfully
attended First Baptist Church of Lodi, where everyone knew where to find him in his spot in the 4th pew.
In 1996, Jack married Delores Gallo, also a Lodi High graduate who raised her family in Ohio. Delores was in Lodi visiting her family and they met at a softball game. Delores passed away in 2018. Jack was also predeceased by his sister, Rose Marie Rydlund, Sister-in-law Phyllis Phipps and Brother-in-law Ed Phipps, and nephews Bob Smoke and Tom Piper.
Jack is survived by sons Jack (Gwen), and Joe (Barbara), Grandchildren; Jenny Williams (Jimmy), Joseph Fiori (Lindsey), David Fiori (Dana), Adam Fiori (Brooke), and Christa Soria (Joseph). Jack also has #9 great-grandchildren; Caleb Williams-15, Deacon Fiori-14, Landon Williams-14, Delaney Fiori-12, Jackson Fiori-12, Kenton Fiori- 10, Emma Fiori-7, Lucy Fiori-5, and Samantha Ann Soria-born on May 8th , 7 days before Jack died. Jack is also survived by nephews Kevin Phipps, Mike Phipps, Tim Phipps and Jack Piper, and stepchildren Danelle Gallo, Dan Gallo, David Gallo, and Doreen Bestolarides.
Jack graduated from Lodi High School in 1949 where he was an outstanding athlete earning 11 letters. He played football and baseball in junior college and received a combination football-baseball scholarship to play at College of the Pacific (now UOP). He signed a pro-baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1953 and played one season with their farm team, the Bakersfield Indians. Jack was drafted into the US Army and served 2 years at Ford Ord, California where he played on their football team. A newspaper article from 1953 described Jack as “one of the greatest athletes to come out of Lodi High”.
After the Army, in 1955 Jack began his career with San Joaquin County at their Mosquito Abatement District, where he was employed for 36 years before his retirement. His last 15 years he served as District Manager and was responsible for developing some programs still in use today that allow County residents to enjoy time outdoors without fear of mosquito borne diseases. While District Manager, Jack served as President of the California Mosquito Vector Control Association. After his retirement, Jack served an additional 25 years on the San Joaquin County Mosquito Abatement District Board of Trustees, including two terms as President.
As Jack and Joe were growing up, He was active coaching their various sports teams in Junior and Babe Ruth baseball and Pop Warner football. Jack was a founding member of the Lodi BOBS. As an adult, Jack enjoyed playing competitive flag football, recreation-league softball, and golf. He could be found rooting for each of his grandchildren and their respective sports teams, as they grew up. In 1981, Jack was inducted into the Lodi Sports Hall of Fame. He was an active fan of both the San Francisco 49ers and Giants, in both the good years and the bad.
In 2010, when he was 79 years old, Jack led a public/private campaign to save the Lodi Grape Bowl. Over a 3-year period, he alone raised $1.5 Million that was used for artificial turf, bleachers, lights and other stadium improvements.
The Family would like to thank the following for their care and compassion during the final months of Jack’s life; Dr. Ron Navone, Sara Mackedsy and the staff of Brookdale Memory Care, and Lorraine Stephney, Carolyne Carr, and Sarena Pearse of J&M Homecare Services.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service for Jack Fiori will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 26th at First Baptist Church, 267 N. Mills Ave, Lodi, with a luncheon immediately following the service.
A private graveside service will be held at Lodi Memorial Park & Cemetery, at a later date. Funeral arrangements are by Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Jack's behalf to One-Eighty Programs at 180lodi.org
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Fiori family.
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