John Frank Lucarelli

1939 - 2023

John Frank Lucarelli, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on January 1 after a difficult battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 83 years old.

John was born on June 23, 1939, in Walla Walla, to Anthony and Rhea (Cavalli) Lucarelli, and was the second of three children. He grew up on the family farm, and in his childhood, he learned to work hard, helping his parents grow and harvest asparagus, onions, carrots, spinach, and cucumbers.

John attended Davis Elementary, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, and Walla Walla High School, where he graduated in 1957. John met the love of his life, Patty Herring, in the fall of 1957 at the YWCA Shuffle Shop. He proposed to her on the night of her high school graduation in 1959. They were married on January 2, 1960, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, and they spent the next 63 years together.

John was a hard worker his entire life. He drove a forklift at the Continental Can Company, and in the early 1960’s he started what would become a 32-year career with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Walla Walla. John retired as Fountain Sales Manager from Swire Coca-Cola in 1995 and took over day-to-day operations of the Lucarelli family farm in Walla Walla.

John enjoyed many hobbies, including trapshooting, strumming his Martin guitars, and collecting Coca Cola memorabilia. He researched WWII extensively throughout his adult life and was lucky enough to ride in a restored P-51 Mustang during a trip to California. John was an expert at restoring Hodaka motorcycles and vintage single-piston gas engines, Ford tractors, and farm windmills. His shop was frequented by many friends and colleagues who shared the joy of giving new life to rusted farm equipment. Over the years, he made many acquaintances and cherished the long-lasting friendships made along the way.

John served 34 years as a volunteer firefighter for Walla Walla County Fire District 4 and was a lifetime member of the BPOE (Elks) local lodge. He was both a member and the past president of Teamsters Local 556. John, his father (Tony Lucarelli), and John’s sons have all been long-time members of the Walla Walla Gun Club.

John inspired many people, especially his children and grandchildren. He was a humble man, and those close to him respected him for his technical skills, his character, and his humor. Most importantly, John cherished his wife, Pat, and the time spent with his family.    

He is survived by his wife Patricia; three children Tony (Kelly) Lucarelli, of Walla Walla, Mike (Renee’) Lucarelli, of Sammamish, and Susie (John) Golden, of Walla Walla; grandchildren Katie (Kirk) Dantzman, Mary (Peter) Gallagher, Zachary Lucarelli, Grant Lucarelli, Grace Lucarelli, Jennifer Golden, Andrea (Spencer) Locati, and Scott Golden, great-granddaughters Oona and Rory Gallagher and great-grandson Easton Locati (due in February). He is also survived by his brother Peter (Millie) Lucarelli, sister Louise (Eulon) Brown, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Quinn Lucarelli.

Viewing will be Sunday, January 8, from 1:00–5:00 PM, at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, with the recitation of the Rosary to follow at 5:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with Father Matthew Nick officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Walla Walla Community Hospice, or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.

We would like to thank the staff of Walla Walla Community Hospice and our in-home caregivers for their exceptional care and support of John in his final days.