Jack L. Draxler

John "Jack" Louis Draxler, 93, of Hanford, CA passed peacefully March 23, 2025, surrounded by family.
Jack is survived by Lil, his loving wife of 70 years, six children: Chuck, Terri Soares, Sheri Kanagawa (Floyd), John (Antoinette), GiGi Olson (Jeff) and Sandi Geringer (Todd). Jack was also blessed with eleven grandchildren: Chrissy, Aaron (Amy), Brandi (Nick), Chad, Bailey (Paul), Christopher, Karli, Ryan (Christa), Ashley (Erik), Kyle and Dustin (Jennifer) and eleven great-grandchildren: Lilly, Rylee, Austin, Liam, Kenna, Ellie, Ford, Jack, Nash, Isla and Wade.
Born on March 27, 1931, to Louie and Jennie Draxler of Glenwood City, WI, Jack was one of eight children: Bob, Don, Dorothy, Betty, Joan, Jack, Marge, and Donna.
Jack married the love of his life, Lil, on August 7, 1954. The couple lived in Glenwood City but soon moved to Raisin City, California, where Jack worked for 17 years at Rau's Dairy as a milker and worked his way up to head herdsman. While working and raising his family in Raisin City, Jack was involved in Knights of Columbus, Raisin City 4-H, and the building of the Raisin City baseball park where a son, a grandson, and a great-grandson played on the very field he helped create.
In 1971, Jack and Lil ventured to establish their own dairy. Soon after, they were offered an opportunity by Knudsen Corporation for a partnership in the dairy business. The family then spent a short time in Reedley before moving to Hanford and developing JCJ Dairy in which their two sons Chuck and John and their wives eventually became partners.
Jack and Lil's impact in the dairy industry soon became evident as they were honored as the 1977 Dairy Family and then again in 1994 with their sons and their families. In 2004, Jack received the Kings County Agriculturist of the Year award, and a few years later he and Lil were selected as the Kings County Distinguished Dairy Couple of 2006-2007. JCJ Dairy was honored by DHIA multiple years as First High Herd in Kings County.
As a leader, a mentor and an inspiration to many in the Hanford and Kings County area, Jack contributed to the Mid Valley and Kings County 4-H programs, Hanford FFA, Kings County Fair Boosters, and the Farm Bureau. He was also an active member of Tulare-Kings County Agency on Aging, a board member of the Mosquito Abatement District, California Director of DHIA and board member as well as president of Kings County DHIA. Jack's passion for giving to his community was not limited to agri-business. He served on the Kings County Grand Jury, drove cancer patients and their families to medical appointments and went on to become the coordinator of drivers for the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery. He assisted in making wishes come true for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and played "Santa" for seniors and the Hanford Recreation Department. He was very proud to have donated platelets every two weeks to the Central California Blood Bank totaling over 100 donations.
During retirement, Jack's vitality and joy in life led to a wide range of activities including woodworking, vegetable gardening, watching sporting events (most notably his Green Bay Packers and LA Dodgers), riding his 3-wheel bicycle and family time. Jack and Lil also loved to travel back to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. Their many vacations included trips throughout the United States, Canada, Cancun, Cape Cod, the Panama Canal, Ireland, Australia, England, Rome and, most notably, Israel and the Holy Land where their marriage was blessed in 2009.
Longtime members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Jack would often serve as a reader during Sunday Mass and attended church fundraising events.
The family would like to thank everyone for the love and prayers offered at this time of loss. Additionally, the family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for the staff at the Selma and Hanford Adventist Health hospitals, Adventist Health Hospice, University of San Francisco Parnassus Campus Hospital, Kings Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Diamond Terraces, who treated Jack so well and took such great care of him.
In lieu of flowers, Lil and family are requesting donations be made to your favorite charity or to the "Roman Catholic Charitable Trust" for use for the Immaculate Heart of Mary building fund.
Visitation will be Friday, April 4, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm with Rosary at 6:00 pm at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home in Hanford. Mass will be Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Heart Of Mary Catholic Church, 10435 Hanford Armona Road, Hanford, followed by graveside burial at Calvary Cemetery and lunch at Immaculate Heart of Mary pavilion.
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