John Earp Lived his Life ‘Upright and Ornery’

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John Earp
January 11, 1947 – January 19, 2023

John was born in Web City Missouri to Virginia Wood and Louis Earp on Jan 11th 1947.  John had 3 younger siblings: Vera Janine Jordan, Catherine Jordan and Jimmy Jordan. His family moved to Modesto, CA. when John was 15. He attended Modesto High School where he met the love of his life Frances Coop. John & Fran were married Nov 13th 1965. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in Nov 2022.  John & Fran had 2 daughters, Sandra & Cindy. 

John worked a few different jobs while living in Modesto. He worked for Armour meats in Turlock, then went to work for Campbell Soup where he made and tested TV dinners. He worked at the army ammunition plant where he ran the presses and made mortar shells. He also worked at Gallo Winery. In 1972 he received his Horseshoer certificate from Merced College.

In 1972 John moved his family to Alderpoint, CA. where he got a job at the Louisiana Pacific mill where he was a Millwright.  From 1972-1982 John shod and trimmed horses for all the ranchers & community members.  In 1977 John got his dream job. He became a Government Trapper. He did predator control on all the big ranches in Southern Humboldt, Northern Mendocino and Western Trinity counties. He loved it. He got to hunt, run his dogs, and ride horses everyday. He loved visiting with all the ranchers, and spending his days in the great outdoors. He had a million crazy stories about all of his adventures as a trapper. 

In 1989 John & Fran purchased the 76 station in Garberville, CA. In 1991 John left his trapper job and became a full time business owner. They added Subway to the 76 station in 1997. They both retired and sold the 76 station in 2018.

John spent the majority of his spare time volunteering with different organizations. He was Fire Chief of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Dept, and was an EMT, he helped the Casterlin/Alice Jewett PTA with many projects. He spent lots of time helping out with the Southern Humboldt Little League. In 1991 John joined Kiwanis of the Redwoods and was a member for 31 yrs. During that time he served as President, Secretary and Treasurer many different times. John was one of the original members who helped get the Toys for Tots program started in 1992. He was involved with this program until Christmas of 2022. The Kiwanis toy run was one of John’s favorite events. He spent many, many hours making sure that it was a success. John was also deeply involved in the Redwood Run, from planning of the event to setting up, and working security during the event. 

John was one of the founding members of the Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Department in 2007, and has always been an active member. He spent many, many hours alongside his team members getting all the important trainings needed to be a firefighter. He was loved and respected by all the fire department members.

After retirement John & Fran purchased a lease lot at Ruth Lake with their daughter Sandi & her husband Sterling. John & Fran loved to hang out at the lake with their best friends, Dave & Sue Felt, fishing and taking pictures of Eagles and Osprey. Many amazing memories were made with his family and friends at the lake property.

John never met a stranger and loved telling stories, he also liked to embellish a little bit to make the story that much more interesting. John’s most favorite thing was spending time with his family.  He was always so very proud of his Daughters and his grand and great grandkids. He loved being a Great-Grandpa and loved telling Sterling “you might be their grandpa but I am their GREAT grandpa, I knew that if I lived long enough I would be GREAT at something”!! One of his favorite sayings was “anyday he got to spend with any or all of his family was a dang good day”.

John will be remembered by everyone for being “upright and Ornery”

John is survived by his wife Frances Earp, daughters Sandra Earp-Kercher (Sterling Kercher), & Cindy Earp Giacomini (Matt Giacomini). His 6 grandchildren Connie Kercher-Mayhew (C.J Mayhew), Joseph Kercher, Calvin Kercher (Amanda Coleman), Kayla Kercher (Austin Manchester), Jesse Slade (Peyton Huddleson) and Jacob Rojeski. His 10 Great-Grandchildren Hallie Mayhew, Mylie Mayhew, Carlie Mayhew, Paislie Mayhew, Kendall Kercher, Ailana Kercher, Taylor Kercher, Sterling “Bub” Kercher, Jagger Slade, and Axel Slade. Sister-in-Law Dorothy Aubrey and Brother-in-Law Michael Coop (Darlene Coop). His Neices and Nephews Carrie Wilkinson (Gary Wilkinson), Gary Glasgow (Chelsea Glasgow), Bobby Ramsey (Leann Ramsey) Mark Wright, Chris Ramsey, Dianne Porter (Curt Porter), Larry Lawhon, Cherie Von Savoy, Sarah Beach (San Saechao), Jessica Harvey (Alexis Harvey), Amber Sears (Clayton Sears), and Melissa Coop, Many great nieces, nephews, cousins, and amazing friends. He is also survived by siblings that were found through Ancestry in 2018 Donna Waldron, Daryl Earp (Kim Earp), and Harold Earp (Tamara Earp).

John was preceded in death by his Mother Virginia Marsaw (Wood), sisters Vera Janine, and Cathy Jordan, Brother Jimmy Jordan, Father-in-Law Quincy Coop, Mother-in-Law Mary Humphrey-Coop, Sister-in-law Melva Coop-Lawhon, and Brother-in-laws William “Bill” Coop and Richard “Dick” Aubrey.

A Celebration Of Life will be held on Saturday July 22nd at 1:00pm at the Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Hall. Please bring a side dish and any stories of John that you have to share with everyone. In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made to the Alderpoint Volunteer Fire Dept-P.O. Box 164, Alderpoint, CA. 95511.