John Brantant Bostic

1946 - 2022

John Brantant Bostic
1946 - 2022
Resident of East Palo Alto
John Brantant Bostic, (also known as "Jaribu" and "JB") was born on December 25, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John spent his childhood in Philadelphia. After graduating from high school, John relocated to Northern California. He enrolled in San Jose State University, where he was a devoted member of the Pi Omicron chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He received his bachelor's degree of Science in Industrial Relations from San Francisco State University.
In 1969, John began his career at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills where he served as the Financial Aid Director and Administrator. John was very active in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and was elected President of the California Community College Student Financial Aid Administrators Association (CCCSFAAA). After 34 years of service, John retired from Foothill in 2003. John was also a powerful force in the local political environment in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and surrounding Mid-Peninsula communities. In 1988, he was elected to the East Palo Alto City Council and later became East Palo Alto's Vice-Mayor and eventually Mayor of the City. He was also Chair of the East Palo Alto Redevelopment Agency and was instrumental in the redevelopment of the Ravenswood 101 Retail Center, also known as University Square. During his years of service with the City of East Palo Alto, John was involved in developing the city's Juneteenth events expressing pride for his roots and service programs for its senior citizens.
Some of John's favorite activities were dancing and listening to music, particularly Jazz and Rhythm & Blues. John also loved traveling and did so extensively throughout the United States and overseas. Some of his favorite travel destinations included Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Honduras. It was during his retirement when discovered the allure of Belize; he traveled there frequently and finally decided to relocate there in 2012.
John passed away in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize, on May 31, 2022.
John was preceded in death by his father, Charles Joseph Bostic and his mother, Helen Bassett Bostic. He is survived by his first wife Constante W. Bostic Johnson and son, Omar Mwenyé Bostic; his second wife of 30 years Nelly Valencia-Bostic, and sons David E. Bostic and Michael H Panting Bostic; his third wife, Luisa Isabel Requeña Bostic; his sister Charlene Bostic-Davis; his brothers Gahiji Joseph Willard Bostic, Herbert Charles Bostic and Alfred J. Bostic; his ten grandchildren Theresa R. Bostic, Anthony M. Bostic, Brittney L. Ahmad, Michelle A. Panting, Ashley R. Bostic, Kenya C. Panting, Tierra M Bostic, Lisa Panting, Donavon D. Bostic; his three stepchildren Isabel, Angela and Manuel; and eight Great-grandchildren: Keenan, Angeliah, Kailani, Nkosi, Noah, Jayce, Kylah and Khalil.
John lived life to the fullest and will remain forever in our hearts.
Celebration of Life to be held Thursday, August 4th, 2022 at Foothill College, Hearthside Lounge Campus Center, 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 at one o'clock in the afternoon.


View the online memorial for John Brantant Bostic