Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
John Spaulding Obituary
September 20, 1940 November 8, 2022
John Richard Spaulding was born September 20, 1940 in Normal, Illinois. He was raised alongside his three siblings, Gene, Dolores and Gary, in Dwight, Illinois. He was a graduate of Dwight High School. After graduating high school, John joined the United States Army, where he was stationed in Bakersfield, California from 1963-1966. It was here he met the love of his life, Diana, in 1965. They married on July 2, 1966 and settled into life in Bakersfield.
John was a graduate of Operating Engineers Local #12 Apprenticeship Program and began his career as an Operating Engineer with Granite Construction. From there, he went on to work as IUOE Local #12 Business Agent. He went on to become the District Representative for Local #12 in Pasadena, California, before retiring (from his first job) in 2005. He was a Graduate of the Trade Union Program at Harvard University. Never one to sit idly by, John went to work for the Building Trades Council as Executive Secretary in 2007 until his second retirement in 2022.
John and Diana have four children - Christi, Michael, Laura and Richard, six grandchildren - Brittany, Hailee, Hannah, Annabelle, Allison and Brock. One Great-Grandson - JD, with another on the way.
John's civic involvement includes: Central Labor Council - president, Kern Economic Development Corp, Workforce Development Executive Board, Kern Transportation Foundation, board of directors, Project Clean Air, Friendship House, Kern County Fair Housing and Schools to Charters, VP Democratic Central Committee, Greater Bakersfield Separation of Grade District.
John was a Shriner, Mason, Scottish Rite and an Elk. He was 22 gallon club donor at Houchin Blood Bank.
To know John was to know how much he loved his family. He spent countless hours at a soccer match, coaching, refereeing, mentoring and cheer leading countless children, neighborhood kids, and grandchildren.
Services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at The Bridge, located at 12225 Stockdale Hwy. Viewing will be 10:00 am with services starting at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in John's name can be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or Shriner's Hospitals for Children.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Spaulding
Sponsored by Mission Family Mortuary - Bakersfield.
Mario Salas
September 26, 2023
John my District Rep at Local 12. He was someone to look up to and he will be missed by me. I hope his family is doing well.
Steve Azevedo
November 22, 2022
My condolences to the Spaulding family. John was a good man, the world will a little darker without his high-voltage smile . RIP
Rodger and Mary Van Fleet
November 18, 2022
Our hearts are broken for Diana and the entire Spaulding family...We were neighbors for over 40 years. Raised our families side-by-side. We celebrate births, graduations, weddings, retirement, grandchildren and all of the events of being friends. The Spaulding's are not JUST our friends, they are our family! John was one-of-a-kind. He will always be part of our lives because we will always have the memories...
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.
Milí Franceschi
November 15, 2022
John was so supportive and loving to all his children and his beautiful wife, Diana. He will be missed tremendously.
The photo was taken in Maui, we were celebrating their 50th anniversary
Karen Briefer
November 14, 2022
Condolences from John´s friends at ETR. His legacy of service will live on through the opportunities he helped create for so many pre-apprenticeships in the trades. John, you´ll be missed.
Aaron Ellis
November 14, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
I have worked with John for many years thru the Workforce Development Board at ETR. He has always been a supportive board member and has helped ETR with many pre-apprenticeship programs with all of the trades. We will miss him very much.
John Sarad
November 14, 2022
I met John during a controversy surrounding a land development near their home. John and Diana's opposition was troublesome at first, but their fair and thoughtful consideration won me over and we were friends from then on. I am sorry our community has lost such a valued and principled leader.
ERIN WHITFIELD
November 13, 2022
I met John in 1991 while working on the Mojave Pipeline; I think he was the District 3 BA at the time. I was new to Kern County and he helped me get registered to vote here. What a great guy. He will be missed.
Mary Koharchick
November 13, 2022
Mr.Spaulding was a wonderful man, I will miss him dearly.
Ron an myra james
November 12, 2022
JOHN YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED ,YOU ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AN MADE EVERYONE FEEL Welcome Rest in peace our dear friend
Anissa Howard Torres
November 12, 2022
This man in so many ways affected my life growing up. I am sure I am not the only friend of his children that feel this way. He was such a special man and I am so blessed he was there to be an example of what to look for in a "good man" when I grew up. I have a special place in my heart for him. He was special to anyone that was lucky enough to meet him.
I will always have so much love in my heart for him and his family
Anissa
Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results
Make a Donation
in John Spaulding's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for John Spaulding
Funeral services provided by:
Mission Family Mortuary - Bakersfield531 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93304
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 Spaulding'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
