John Burton ‘JB’ Horan, 81, died Wednesday, Dec. 15 in Redwood Memorial.

He was born in Stockton to Wesley and Oleave Horan. He lived in Oakdale for many years. He also lived in Fortuna since 1994.

Mr. Horan proudly served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War from 1951-1953.

He joined the Oakdale Fire Department in 1958 and retired as a captain in 1981. He also drove a school bus for the Oakdale Unified School District. After he retired from the fire department, he drove for the Storer Transit Systems. His favorite was driving the charter bus to San Francisco Giants baseball games. He was happy to see his beloved Giants win the World Series.

He spoke of his grandchildren’s accomplishments often and delighted that they shared his love of reading. He went to recitals, football games, science fairs, and later graduations, weddings, and baby showers.

He married Florence Conley in 1979 and felt that her grown children were also his to love.

He is survived by his daughter from his first marriage, Donna (Mark) Harper; stepsons, Johnny (Vina), Jim (JoAnne), Milton (Sally), Justin (Jeri), and Rodney (Merneva); 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; his parents; sister, Barbara; stepdaughter, Shirley; and brother-in-law, Robert Fahey.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Oakdale Fire Department from which he will be driven to his final resting place in his old fire truck. Another celebration of life will be held at the Fortuna Fire Department on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Jan. 5, 2011