Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Theaker Obituary
December 17, 1968 - June 29, 2015
John Theaker, 46, loving father, beloved husband, brother and son, passed away peacefully June 29th at UCSF Hospital after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
John was born in Modesto. He graduated from Beyer High in 1987, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1992. After college, John lived and worked in the Bay Area. In 1999, he married and began his teaching career at Fair Oaks Elementary in Oakdale, CA. In 2005, John moved his family to Arroyo Grande, CA and taught English at Fesler Jr. High in Santa Maria, CA.
John loved playing golf and soccer and was a dedicated San Jose Sharks hockey fan. He proudly served as president of the Central Coast Soccer League, dedicating himself to keeping local soccer prosperous on the central coast. John was a born teacher and was an inspiration to his students. John's greatest love was his family: wife Kelli, sons Colton (14), Lucas (13), and daughter Olivia (10) who will forever miss him. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the exceptional teams at UCSF whose years of dedication and effort to John were appreciated by the entire family.
John was preceded in death by his father James Theaker. He is survived by his wife and children, his mother Joan Theaker, his brothers Bob, Tom and David, and their families. A celebration of life honoring John is pending. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made via check payable to "Jeffrey Golden - UC Regents" re: John Theaker, and mailed to: Research and Clinical Studies on Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis; c/o Jeffrey Golden; UCSF Room 1090; San Francisco, CA 94143-0111
We thank God for the gift of John's life, his Aloha spirit, and the blessing of the time we spent with him.
www.cvobituaries.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Theaker
Patricia Madden
July 1, 2025
Always in our hearts. John was such a wonderful dad and husband. You are dearly missed by many people. Your passing is our loss. Sincerely,
Pat Madden
Patricia Madden
July 1, 2024
Dearest Family,
Missing a loved one is one of the hardest parts of life. I know John would want all of you to continue living and be happy. He is watching from above and so proud of each of you. I go over and visit the grave site every once in awhile as I am there for Frank. We have guardian angels watching over us.
Peace be with you. Love, Mrs. Pat Madden
Gilbert Valenzuela
November 11, 2019
John was a great guy! A college roommate that quickly became a friend at Cal Poly SLO ~1989. Very talented and great sense of humor - he referred to me as his "Mexican friend" He could write unlike anyone I had ever known - on one occasion he checked out about 12 books from the library the day before his essay paper was due and did an "all nighter" to produce an 18 page essay..days later he comes home smiling showing me his "A+" essay grade. Naturally, we went to celebrate at Mustang Tavern!! He taught me the game of golf; he was a great golfer. I now see that it has been years since his passing and many more since I spoke with him; was hoping to "catch up" with him some day to talk about our college days. John, I will always remember and appreciate you; you did not see color, race etc. Keep on Resting In Peace my friend! -Gilbert Valenzuela
Levi Contreras
August 11, 2015
Mr. Theaker was the greatest teacher ever when I joined his Shakespeare club I was inspired he knew I was s Jehovah's Witness and he treated me like a normal person and with respect he didn't treat me like I was exotic he was a great man he was the greatest teacher ever and with tears I give him my respects
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Kris Hall
August 10, 2015
John was an incredible person. I had the pleasure of meeting John when I moved to the central coast in 2012 to coach soccer at Cal Poly. John helped me survive and start my own soccer academy while there. To this day John has paid me the best compliment I've ever received, told me it was clear I was an educator and not just a trainer. John's kindness, caring, and support will always be cherished and appreciated. I'll never forget the impact John made in my life and I will pay it forward. My prayers go out to his family.
-Kris Hall
Bill TIndula
August 1, 2015
What a wonderful family! John supported me when I had troubles Kelli, you are one of my favorite people in the whole world! What an inspiration to all of us
Cheryl Burcheri
July 17, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to Kelly and the kids. I am heartbroken to come across this...cannot say enough what a gentle man and great father that I knew of John to be. My deepest sympathies to a dear family
Tim Trenkle
July 14, 2015
My most sincere and deepest sympathies to John's entire family. We have all lost a good and caring man. I enjoyed working with John over the years with CCSL and am thankful to have gotten to know him and always appreciated his diligent efforts to pull together the soccer community on the Central Coast. Soccer is more than the game, its the people we enjoy it with along the way. Thank you John for being a friend and colleague. -tim
Rick Marquez
July 13, 2015
My heart goes out to the Theaker family. I was shocked when I read this. Many great memories with Tom and John. From golfing at Del Rio to terrorizing little David and everything else. My love to the family.
Johnny Rotten, your spirit will live on forever!
Dirt
Carl, Julie, Troy, & Chase Artopoeus
July 13, 2015
WORDS. Words inspired John, and John used Words to inspire, guide, comfort, and console others.
However, there are no Words powerful enough to express the pain, sorrow, and unfairness of his life cut short.
In the end, only one WORD truly mattered to John.
FAMILY
We send our love and support to all of the Theaker Family in this time of great sorrow.
Robert and Becky Aguilar
July 13, 2015
Kelli and kids, We are so very sorry for your loss.....Our prayers are with you and your family at this time. Be gentle to yourselves as you grieve......
Scott Sarmento
July 13, 2015
I am so happy that I was able to know John. He was a blessing to the youth of our region and he will truly be missed. I join with his family in rejoicing for the life that he lived and thank God for him.
Adam Goodge
July 13, 2015
John was a truly amazing person and someone I looked up to and was inspired by. I will miss our friendship dearly. A truly passionate and giving man who gave everything he had to his family, friends, and community. We will all miss him greatly.
The Essen Family
July 12, 2015
We are so sad to learn of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rachel, Bill and Billy Itzstein
July 12, 2015
Kelli and family, we are so sorry for your loss.
The Slowinskis
July 12, 2015
John will be forever missed. We send our love, support, and our deepest sympathy to his wonderful family.
Kent Hubert
July 12, 2015
John, you were such a kind, caring, and generous person who will be sorely missed by friends, family, students alike. I'll miss all the soccer talk, the kid talk, the wine talk. Your time with us was much, much too brief, but the time and energy you gave was amazing. We will miss you my friend.
Kelli - know that we are there for you and the kids.
Tom and Sarah Butler
July 11, 2015
Our family loved you, John, and your family. You will be forever missed....your passion, your generosity, your kindness, and your loving spirit will live on. Love and hugs to Kelli and the kids.
The Sorianos
July 10, 2015
John's kindness and love for his family will always be remembered. May this inspire us always. Love to his beautiful family.
Pat Madden
July 9, 2015
John was such a kind and caring person that made everyone feel special. He filled his family with love and good memories. There are two ways to journey through life. You can march ...or you can dance. You inspired many people. God bless you!
Love, Pat Madden
John at Opus One
July 9, 2015
Vincent Eisman
July 8, 2015
In one of the few years I had the pleasure of teaching with John at Fair Oaks we saw Hamlet together. For a mad fortnight afterwards he distributed the script to his 5th and 6th grade combination class, dividing up the parts to ensure everyone had a role. In a school with no theater, John had classes of students that wanted to see the play come out to the middle of the soccer field for the performance. It was memorable experience for many students, both performers and viewers. That's the way you teach and inspire the next generation!
"Good night, sweet Prince. And flights of angels sing the to thy rest." Hamlet V.ii.359-360
sara Stevenson
July 8, 2015
You will forever be missed! To this day you were my favorite teacher at fair oaks elementary. Your kind soul and big heart made coming to school everyday enjoyable!
July 8, 2015
To the family, I send my deepest sympathies. John . will forever be remembered for his laugh, loving spirit and the fact that the Sherwood Archers will live forever. Goodbye old friend
Kevin Pulido
July 8, 2015
Rest in Peace Mr. Theaker. He was a very devoted person in teaching others like me. Mr. Theaker was by far the best English teacher I've ever had. He was a man who taught like no other, and also had an enormous heart. Mr. Theaker taught everything in a way the is nearly inexplicably unforgettable, which is why was much loved by many! I want to express my deep condolences to his family for his loss, may God bless you. May Mr. Theaker rest in the hand of the almighty lord and be blessed for all eternity. God Bless Mr. Theaker!
Robert Porcella
July 7, 2015
Thinking of you and your family. So sorry to read about John.
Selene Cuna
July 7, 2015
Rest in peace Mr.Theaker thank you for all the things you've done for not just me but all the students that loved you very much, I wouldn't be the person I am if it weren't for you. You will be missed
kiki Flores
July 7, 2015
you are the best teacher ever & always will be . You taught me things no body has . You helped me through family problems and life problems . I love you Mr. Theaker (:
Elise Lopez
July 7, 2015
Thank you Mr Theaker for being an amazing teacher who believed in me and all of your students. May your soul rest in peace. To your family and friends, I'm truly sorry for your loss.
Rica Peralta
July 7, 2015
I still remember that day you told me I can get through all the struggles. I thought I wasn't capable of doing the things I wanted, but with your words it motivated me to keep me positive. Thank you for being such a sincere, and wonderful teacher. Rest In Paradise Mr. Theaker.
Rachelle Sierra
July 7, 2015
I worked with John in 2005 & 2006 @ Oakdale Adult Education. He was a wonderful person inside and out. I have always thought about him throughout the years. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Ariana Salinas
July 6, 2015
Thank you Mr Theaker for being a wonderful teacher to not only me but all of your students , rip heaven gained another angel , condolences to your family and friends <3
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
Make a Donation
in John Theaker's name
Memorial Events
for John Theaker
People and places connected with John
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support John's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor John Theaker's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
