Jean Mathias Erassarret

1941 - 2025

JEAN MATHIAS ERASSARRET

June 14, 1941 – June 13, 2025

Bakersfield – Jean passed away unexpectedly at Bass Lake, CA at 83.

Jean was born in Bakersfield, CA. His parents were Jean Erassarret from Saint-Etieene-de-Baigorry France in the Pyrenees mountains of the Basque Country and Rose Reina from El Paso Texas.

Jean's father immigrated to the USA through Ellis Island as a sheep herder which took them to Barstow and then finally to Bakersfield.

Jean attended Jefferson grade school, Washington Jr High and East High.

Jean's mother Rose had a dream and got all her kids into music and created a family group called "The Erassarret Family". They performed all around Bakersfield and Kern County and even played in Hollywood for a talent show called "Hollywood Opportunity".

Jean played the trumpet with the family and in Jr high and High school bands and received a standing ovation for his trumpet performance of "O Sole Mio" at a Washington Jr High performance.

Jean worked with his parents when they bought Files & Files Carpet & Rug Company.

He was involved with a Basque dancing group where he met Janet Borda. They married in August 8, 1959 and had their first child, Jean Michel Erassarret III.

Jean went to work for his wife Janet's father Pete Borda hauling hay and then landed a sales job at the newly opened Montgomery Wards in the early 1960's.

Then in the early 1970's he bought Dawn Company a Bakersfield floor covering and venetian blind manufacturing company. Then in 1975 he opened Carpet Cave on Union Ave across the street from King Lumber and behind Farmer John's Pancake House, and then opened Dawn Company west in the late 1970's.

Jean was the president of the Basque Club for two years and with the help of Marianne Laxague, who was on the board, they bought the old historic Rainbow Gardens for the Basque Club, negotiated a permanent spot at the fairgrounds, and built the Basque Club booth that was and is ever so popular. All of which were enormous income generators for the Basque Club.

Jean's passion was boats and boating.

Jean and Janet loved Bass Lake and would camp there in the 1960's.

In 1977 Jean bought a lake front property in Bass Lake which hosted many family gatherings and 4th of July celebrations too numerous to mention. If you were there you know how special it was. In 1978 they had their second and last child, daughter Deadra Erassarret Dellinger.

Jean's next boating chapter was a 45ft boat in Channel Island Harbor with many families and friends enjoying taking it out on the ocean and out to Anacapa Island a few times.

Jean's wife Janet loved to fish and took great care in cleaning and prepping the fresh catch.

Jean was admired and loved by many friends and family. He was all about the power of positive thinking and laughter.

Jean lived a full life doing what he wanted to do with no regrets.

The immediate family thanks all of you for your outpouring of support during this sad and difficult time we are going through. It means a lot.

Jean is survived by: Jean Erassarret III, Deadra Erassarret Dellinger, Tory Dellinger, Samantha Erassarret Prosperi, Kyle Prosperi, Holly Erassarret, Daisy Dellinger, Lauren Dellinger Johnson, Malcom Johnson, Shon Dellinger, Easton Dellinger, Gino Prosperi, Gemma Prosperi, Nash Johnson, and Knox Johnson.

The memorial service will be at Greenlawn Mortuary at the Panorama location at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Pallbearers: Christopher Newton, Tom Anderson, Tory Dellinger, Shon Dellinger, Bob Borda and John Borda.

Wake and reception will be at the Pyrenee's Cafe after the service at 601 Sumner St.

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