John Dennis Reagan

John Dennis Reagan obituary, Monterey, CA

John Dennis Reagan

John Reagan Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 7, 2024.
John Dennis Reagan, 63 years old, passed away unexpectedly on February 3, 2024 in Monterey, California.

John received his undergraduate degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from U.C. Davis. He held a variety of jobs over his life. He received his license as a real estate broker, started the chapter of Greenpeace at Delta College, worked for the U.S. Park Service in Yosemite, and was an extremely skilled carpenter.

John was tenacious, setting seemingly outrageous goals and meeting them regularly: running a five minute mile, juggling bowling pins while riding a unicycle, playing banjo, and anything else he set his mind to.

Most significantly John was a devoted father and fatherhood was his greatest joy. He was an adventurous, kind-hearted soul with a curious and nurturing spirit. He loved the outdoors, music, sports, and connecting with people on a deeper level. Witnessing others blossom into their best selves brought him immense happiness. His love for nature was as profound as the love he showered upon his friends and family.

John was "number 7" of the 9 Reagan kids. John was preceded in death by his parents Dan and Mary Reagan, brother Pat Reagan, and sister Kathy Reagan. He is survived by his children Shayne Reagan and Alice Ambrose, siblings Dan Reagan, Terry Reagan, Tom Reagan, Joanie Hilgeman, Robert Reagan, and Sheri Easterly in addition to 13 nieces and nephews and 4 grandnephews. He will be sorely missed.

Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to: montereybayfoundation.org

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February 1, 2025

Alan John Unger posted to the memorial.

February 10, 2024

Bob Matonak posted to the memorial.

February 10, 2024

Bob Matonak posted to the memorial.

Alan John Unger

February 1, 2025

Got John remembrance email this morning. Funny was just thinking about John early this morning or maybe it was last night. We'd hang out and watch football and I would usually make something good to eat. Other times we'd have bevys and talk about many different subjects, of course politics included. We had a connection, and as I heard he had special connections with many others also. Miss him. A lot of the old soldiers in construction have moved on to the next world or retired. Sad.

Bob Matonak

February 10, 2024

I was saddened to hear of Johns passing. He always had a positive attitude toward life. At work he was a total animal. he could do in a day what it would take 3 guys and not complain at all. Gods speed to you , rest in peace.

Bob Matonak

February 10, 2024

I was saddened to hear of Johns passing. He always had such a positive attitude towards life. At work he was an animal , he could do in one day what it would take 3 people and not complain. Gods speed , rest in peace.

Kevin Downey

February 9, 2024

I have known John for at least 25 years. John would help moving large items for my mom like a French door upstairs and our house renovation in Seaside that we would trade him a room for. I remember I thought he was crazy when he took the front passenger seat out of his sedan and threw it in the trash can. He replaced it with a bed and slept in it on Venice beach to visit his old hangouts and visit his son. As he became less nomadic with an MS diagnosis we were happy that he spent more time in Monterey with his friends that were local. Over the last couple of years John and I were able to work together on making a van that he was gifted more livable. It usually would end with a late night of drinking cold beer by a hot fire bashing the wrong politics and trying to save the planet. John will be sorely missed as he was taken too damn early, but no doubt he is on his next adventure.

Kevin Downey

February 9, 2024

I have known Big John for over 25years. He would always help with home renovations or moving like our French doors upstairs hence the name `Big John´ in exchange for a free room. John was always a nomad taking the front seat out of his sedan to fashion a bed in it, and parked around Venice beach reliving his old hangouts and visiting his son. In later years after an MS diagnosis he spent more time in Monterey and scored a gifted van from a local fisherman. Over his last couple of years we became best friends, having him as a captive audience we worked on improvements to making his van more livable. The best times were by the fire pit with a cold beer in hand reminiscing the past, bashing the wrong side of politics, and saving the planet. More was needed to be said, a life cut short, but John no doubt is off to another adventure....

Stacey Scholten

February 8, 2024

I´m sorry John´s life was cut short, it was a life well lived. My condolences to his family.

Alan John Unger

February 7, 2024

Great pic of John. He truly had a big heart. He shared many humorous stories of himself growing up in a large family, his brothers, parents etc. Many of my experiences were similar growing up in large Catholic family also. I don't know if it's true, but he said his dad was much like Fred Rutherford, who was Lumpy's dad in Leave it to Beaver. We both found this extremely humorous.

John worked with me a lot. He was always on time and had a great attitude, not to mention strong and knowledgeable. My favorite time was when we removed and rebuilt a huge 3 tier deck in The Valley; came out great.

Missing John and sad he won't be over for Super Bowl. We watched a number of games this year and he was big on Brock Purdy. Maybe he will watching after all.

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February 1, 2025

Alan John Unger posted to the memorial.

February 10, 2024

Bob Matonak posted to the memorial.

February 10, 2024

Bob Matonak posted to the memorial.