JOHN ARRIOLA

March 26, 1949 - January 25, 2025

John was born in Japan on March 26, 1949. He was 75 when he passed at home in Pahrump after a period of declining health. He came with his mother Akiko to the Monterey Bay, California, in 1954. His father was career military, so they moved around a lot. From Fort Ord California, to Fort Lewis Washington, to Georgia, To Germany, and back to Fort Ord.

He became a firefighter with the Seaside Fire Department in 1972, and retired as a Captain in 2003 after 31 years of service. He served in many capacities at the Seaside Fire Dept., including Fire Engineer, Medical Technician, Acting Battalion Chief, and the City's Emergency Disaster Coordinator. His peers selected him as Firefighter of the Year 1997, President of the Firefighter Association, and he served many years as the Fire Department negotiator for wages and benefits. He loved working for the Seaside Fire Department, from the tragedies and burning warehouses on Cannery Row, to delivering babies.

John represented his department in the Firefighter's Olympics for many years as a tennis player, and won quite a few medals. He was a member of Meaqdowbrook Tennis Club in Seaside.

John was proud of his service to our country from 1967 to 1970 as a soldier in the United States Army, spending fourteen months on the DMZ in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division. At the end of his service in Korea, the army located him to Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan.

John got his Real Estate and Broker license in Monterey in 1982. He was quite successful in selling real estate for many years. After retiring from the Fire Service, John relocated to Pahrump, Nevada, with his life partner Mary McRory. He also helped move his daughter Danielle and her boys here at that time. He obtained his Nevada Real Estate License and worked full time as a broker/sales agent for Century 21, and then Access Realty, LLC in Pahrump.

He loved playing cards, especially the game "31" with his family. He is survived by his life partner Mary McRory of 22 years; daughter Danielle Fraley and her five sons Jonathon, Josh, Jason, Jarron and Jonas; son Chris (Emily) Arriola, and grandson Gabriel. He had one great-grandchild, Robbie. They all loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Nancy, and brother Robert.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Nugget Casino on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm . Everyone is welcome.