John McFadden
December 21, 1936 - September 12, 2022
Sacramento, California - John Patrick McFadden, 85, passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on September 12, 2022.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen Thomas, daughters Elena McFadden and Sara McLachlan, son, Tom McFadden (Mary Ellen), and grandchildren Rose, Riley, Julia, and Bennett. He was preceded in death by his parents, John "Mack" McFadden and Helen Whitenack McFadden, and his brother Joseph Edward McFadden.
John was born in Martinez, California, where his father worked for Allied Oil. The family also lived in Woodburn, Oregon and Altadena, California. When his father had to stop working because of osteomyelitis, his mother supported the family as a registered nurse.
For twelve years John attended the Roman Catholic Junior Seminary, Queen of Angels Seminary, and St. John's College in Camarillo, forming many lifelong friendships. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in l963 and served parishes in Claremont and Pasadena, California and in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
John took a leave of absence from the priesthood in 1967 and married Georgia Lyga in l968. That year he began a PhD program in the History of Consciousness at University of California at Santa Cruz. After completing his coursework in 1970, John and Georgia went to work with the United Farm Workers in Delano, California. Elena Odile was born in 1972 and Sara Karen in l973.
In 1974 the family moved to Sacramento where John began teaching in the Education Department at California State University Sacramento. He received his PhD from UCSC in December 1975.
In July 1979, after the Sandinista Revolution, John took a leave of absence from CSUS to move to Nicaragua for two years to be part of the teacher training program for the National Literacy Campaign. He was accompanied by Georgia, Elena, and Sara.
In August, l981, the McFaddens returned to Sacramento and John continued teaching teachers at CSUS in the Department of Bilingual/Multicultural Education until his retirement in 2005.
John's second marriage to Karen Thomas took place in September, l984. Their son Tom was born in l986.
John was an intrepid traveler and went with friends and family members to every continent except Antarctica. His journeys included trips to Peru, India, France, Bali, China, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Norway, Chile, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland.
There will be a Celebration of Life for John on Sunday, November 20, at 11:00 a.m. in the Heritage Park Clubhouse, 2481 Heritage Park Lane, Sacramento, CA 95835.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Open Doors Refugee Resettlement Program in Sacramento or to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by & from Oct. 2 to Nov. 19, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John McFadden

11 Entries

Mary Nørgaard-Larsen

August 27, 2024

I will never forget how much you helped me John. When you visited my mom Elise, your aunt, we took a walk together after dinner. You ability to listen inspired me to make changes in my life that I have never regreted. God bless you, Mary Norgaard-Larsen (formerly Mary Susan Bentler)

Laurie Henderson

November 20, 2022

Karen, Elena, Sara, Tom and families, So very sorry to hear of John´s death. He lived a very full life, covered a lot of ground and was respected and loved, can´t ask for much more than that. Pray that memories make you smile, time will ease your pain and knowing you will meet again comfort you.
Much love,
Laurie and Gary Henderson

Debbie Bernard

November 7, 2022

I was just thinking about Dr. McFadden, my professor @ CSUS 1979-80. He was a wonderful professor. His little red headed daughter, Sara was in my bilingual kindergarten classroom with Mr. Ismael Rasul when I was student teaching. I admired her parents for choosing a wonderful class and school for their daughter. I often wondered about how the family was doing. My deepest sympathies and prayers for peace to each of you. He had a life well-lived.
Debbie Dinsley Bernard

November 7, 2022

My condolences to the family. I am very sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and peace from God. Romans 15:13

Charles Knapp

November 5, 2022

It has been too long since we first met, at LACC JS in 1951 - but never out of mind. A gentle and caring man for all of us, especially for (then) undersized child from Arizona. He and you are in my prayers. Thank you for loving him

Phil Berryman

November 5, 2022

John and I were seminary classmates starting from high school through ordination (1951-63) and as idealistic young priests. After 1965, when he went to Mexico and I to Panama, we stayed in contact, as he pursued a doctorate at UC Santa Cruz, worked with the UFW, and taught at Sacramento State. He helped me get settled in San Jose in 1973, and was best man at our wedding. We saw each other in Nicaragua, during the early hopeful days of the Sandinista revolution, where he worked in the Literacy Crusade. We got together other only occasionally in recent decades, but it was always a pleasure to share our lives. John was ever an enthusiast: he didn´t focus on himself, but took delight in others, especially his family, students and colleagues. We will all miss him.

Patti Campbell and Peter Caton

November 4, 2022

We will always have fond memories of John. He will be remembered for his great smile, his humor and his kind and gentle maner.

Claudia Helena Lombana Giraldo

October 31, 2022

John McFadden was my professor in 1988 at CSUS when I was a Fulbright scholar in 1988 from Colombia. He was a great human motivation and influence for me. I had a dream about peace and light with John McFadden on October 30th 2022. Today, October 31st, I sadly found out that dear John passed away in September this year. I want to express my condolences to the family. I was greatly touched by his inspiration, his life, his great spirit, sincere smile, good nature and kindness. Thank you, Dr. John McFadden. Lots of love for the family.

Maggie Riley Windus (2nd cousin)

October 17, 2022

John will be missed by myself and the rest of the Dan Riley clan. He was fifteen years older than me, and my father was 15 years older than him. When we last talked at Barb Bentler Ullman´s house, John shared how much he enjoyed horsing around with our somewhat goofy father, and how Dad always took an interest in whatever he and Joe were doing. My memories of John are equally fond. When he and Joe visited, we played lots of board games and many, many, many card games. I still remember his serene patience teaching me how to shuffle cards, which I still struggle with. It was very sad to hear of his passing, and hope that his family can find peace.

Fr. Juan Romero

October 10, 2022

It intrigued me that John was a Winter Solstice baby--very liminal. We were schoolmates and friends in seminary and remained friends. Over the years, I visited him in Mexico, and he visited me in Palm Springs. He was a trusted confident whom I much admired. May he rest in peace as he gazes into the loving eyes of his Brother Jesus.

Mike Rotkin

October 3, 2022

I am very sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a good friend and colleague for many years after I met him through the History of Consciousness Program at UCSC. I found his dedication to social justice and his intellectual contributions to my understanding of education as a tool for liberation inspiring and an important guide to my own work in education, activism, and politics.

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