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BORN
1954
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
John Leding Obituary
Mar. 31, 1954 - Jun. 26, 2020
Resident of Santa Cruz
On Friday afternoon, June 26, 2020, John William Leding went to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
John was born on March 31, 1954, in Pena, IL. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in business and initially worked in the field of real estate. For the past 35 years, he built the highly successful Pacific Monarch charter bus company. He loved his Pacific Monarch family.
John served faithfully as an elder and leader in his church and he cherished his church family. He was amazingly influential in countless pastors' lives.
John was larger than life. He had a booming, boisterous laugh and a great sense of humor. He had a fervent deep love for his grandchildren. He was interested in everyone and everything. He took on others burdens as if they were his own. John was one of a kind. No one was a stranger to him.
John was the son of the late Francis Robert Leding and Elizabeth Louise Klodt Leding. He is survived by his six siblings Francis Leding (Sue), Ritamary Stalcup (Ed), Patrick Leding (Marlene) Kathleen Twist (Jim) Mark Leding (Shannon), Lisa Battin (Rob), his wife Pamela, daughter, Jennifer Estes, son-in-law Luke Estes, grandchildren, William, AnnaSophia, grandbaby on the way, and his many nieces, nephews and extended loving family.
He loved his wife, his daughter, his grandchildren, and all his family deeply. He was a man who had a great passion for serving others but most importantly, he loved his Savior beyond words.
There is no pain greater than being separated from him, yet no comfort greater than knowing that he is safe in the arms of his Heavenly Father!
His death was extremely sudden, a shock and unexpected in every way. We grieve for him, but not without hope, but rather, with great hope.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." -Revelation 21:4
Donations can be sent to the Greenville Seminary South Carolina.
Memorial service will be held on July 11th at 1 pm at Trinity Bible Church in Felton.
Social distancing will be observed and there will also be a live stream available.
View the online memorial for John William Leding
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Leding
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
Mr & Mrs Bill Hofmans & family
July 20, 2020
May comfort & mercy be found abundantly in the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, in this time of grief. We hold Pam, Jen and the whole family in our prayer. In Christian love & friendship
STEVEN DAYTON
July 16, 2020
I was a Little League player in Clarendon Hills, IL. where John and his brother coached our team with/for his dad. I must say that he had an impact on my life that still resonates 50 years later. He made me a better person then and today with his spirit and instruction. Those that know him will understand this note. Condolences to his family and friends.
Ken Surber
July 8, 2020
This has been a week of great sadness and sorrow for me. My sadness is extended to Pam, Jen, and the entire family.
I have worked for many business owners and managers over the years and two men stand out in my life. John Leding was one of them.
I met John 30 years ago when I walked into the Pacific Monarch office when it was located in Santa Cruz. John just happened to be there and we had a long chat about driving tour coaches and what Pacific Monarch specialized in. John was a generous and caring man. I didnt know how to drive a bus and by the end of my second meeting, he gave me a job, which included training and getting me licensed! That led to over four great years of working with John and the team, driving for Tauck Tours in the PNW as well as tours in the South West for other tour companies and groups.
For as busy as he was, John always had time to talk! I would call in every few days to catch up and tell him a funny story or two from the road, which usually led to great laughter!
What we are left with are great memories. If I happened to be in the yard, or working in the office, he would gather whoever was around and take us to lunch. Our Christmas parties were memorable as well.
I learned from John. This goes far beyond buses. What I learned and got from being around John are life lessons that are with me every day. This also includes a few John-isms. During this hard week I even had a half chuckle yesterday when I remembered one the John-isms that I use to this day: Am I right!? There are more...
I loved that it was almost guaranteed that I would run into John and Pam at the Santa Cruz County Fair.
The last time I ran into John the planets were aligned. We were brought together at San Lorenzo Lumber Garden Center. As I remember, we were both shopping for vermin traps. We had a nice chat before our purchases.
Thank you, John. You made a difference in my life.
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Kim Merrill
July 7, 2020
John's large smile and personality lit up every room he was in. He had a passion and zest for life that shone through in how he treated others. He was kind and considerate. His laughter was real, as well as his respect and kindness. He delighted in telling me things, sometimes, repeatedly, but we shared so many laughs. Thank you for being in my life, miss you already my friend.
Allison Cunningham
July 6, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Thinking and praying for you and Jen.
Nancy Foy
July 6, 2020
John and I worked together in the hospitality business. I would call John to reserve a bus for my groups coming to the Peninsula. He ran a great business and could always be counted on to provide the best service. May he rest in peace and my sympathies to his family.
Dan Casas
July 6, 2020
John gave a job when I really needed one. I really appreciated the opportunity he gave me and I really enjoyed driving those beautiful busses all over the state. I have a glass cabinet in my house full of keepsakes. And it is there where my Pacific Monarch name tag sits. RIP John and thanks for your kindness.
Robert Briggs
July 5, 2020
It is still hard to take in that the Lord has taken John home. He was a true prince of a man and someone I enjoyed to spend time with. His passion for the Lord and His church were our common bond. His generosity and zeal for the work of God were always an encouragement to me. Elaine and i count John and Pam as dear friends as well as fellow Christians. Our lives will be much poorer with Johns passing. The Lords ways are not our ways and sometimes we never understand them. We are deeply saddened at Johns home calling but the Lord does all things well and we embrace His providence by His grace. We will deeply miss John but for him it is far better. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pam, Jennifer and Luke and the wider family. May the Lord give them the grace to press on until that day.
Judi Gremminger
July 3, 2020
John was a larger than life man in so many ways! He was BIG! He had a personality to match. He had a huge love for his family. He loved His Lord and the churches he was involved in. He had a big, generous heart for causes that served others. He loved his work and those who worked for him. He was a lovely, kindhearted, fun man. I am so sorry for your loss Pam, Jen and family. It leaves a huge hole in many lives, but especially yours. But you know where he is and that someday you will see him again. This is not all there is! Love, Judi
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