It is with great sadness that the family of John Michael Maciel announce his passing on May 9, 2026, in Hanford, California. With equal joy and comfort, they know he passed into the arms of his heavenly father, whom he knew and loved. 

John was born on November 30, 1944, in Hanford, California, to Anthony J. and Susie Rosa Maciel of Laton. The oldest of nine children, he lived most of his life in Riverdale and Laton. He was married for 54 years to Josephine “Jodie” Maciel and was father to their three children: Isril Martin Maciel Cabral (wife Thelma) of Polluck, Louisana; Martha Maciel of Lemoore; and Michelle (husband Darren Mello) of Laton. He was papa to seven grandchildren, three step grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, 22 step great-grandchildren and one step great great grandson.

John graduated Laton High School in 1964 and enlisted in the United States Army in July 1966. After serving his country and being discharged, he returned home to help his dad, younger brother and sisters  with the family dairy and hay hauling business. Eventually, those businesses were sold, and John found work in the fertilizer industry, dairying and farming. He retired from E.F. Mendes and Sons dairy in Riverdale in the early 2000s after a farming accident.

During his retirement, John enjoyed going to swap-meets, and traveling to the coast to go clamming and get a bite to eat at a beachside restaurant. He owned parakeets and doves, and loved sitting at the kitchen table or the back porch to watch and listen to them.

John was ever-present at his grandson’s baseball games and had a special and unique relationship with each of his grandchildren. He watched WWE with his grandson Christian, taught his grandson Joseph how to shoot a rifle and let his granddaughter Paige paint his fingernails pink at the kitchen table. He loved each one, and, when they weren’t living nearby, he stayed in touch to keep abreast of their lives and activities. 

As his health deteriorated, he watched re-runs of Gunsmoke, Cheyenne and John Wayne movies. Also a fan of rodeos, he knew everything about PBR bull riders, including their names, ranking and the names of the bulls.

He was a man of few words and had a quiet nature. In addition to his family mentioned above, he is survived by three brothers, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Brighton Post Acute Skilled Nursing and Bristol Hospices for their care and support, and to the family, friends and neighbors for their care as we navigate the loss of our family patriarch, husband, father, brother and friend.

A rosary for John will be recited at Our Lady of Fatima Church on 26 of May 2026 at 10:00 am. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 am at the same church.

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