John Shepherd Gill, Jr.

Oceanside, CA – John Shepherd Gill, Jr., a vibrant soul known for his zest for life and his boundless passions, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at the age of 74, in Oceanside, California.

Born in 1951, in Del Rio, Texas, John's family moved in 1956 to the sunny shores of California. He spent his early years in Manhattan Beach before moving to San Jose for primary and early high school. It was in Santa Cruz that he first discovered his lifelong love for surfing, frequently making the drive to the beach from San Jose on the weekends. While in San Jose, he honed his athletic skills on the high school swim team, primarily excelling in backstroke, even competing against future Olympian Mark Spitz. For his final year of high school, John moved to Laguna Beach, where he proudly joined the Laguna Beach Lifeguard Department, joining a brotherhood that would provide many of the closest friendships of his life.

John continued his education at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque for a year before returning to Southern California. He attended Saddleback College and later San Diego State University. Throughout his college years, his commitment to the ocean remained steadfast, as he continued his service as a lifeguard in Laguna Beach. His adventurous and giving spirit also led him to become a ski patrolman at Big Bear Mountain. During this time, he forged enduring friendships with his friends Jim, Jeff, Dick, and Mark, among others, bonds that would last a lifetime, filled with surfing, skiing, and backpacking adventures. After graduating from San Diego State, John ventured to Manhattan Beach and San Francisco for a couple of years, where he worked in the marine insurance industry. However, the pull of San Diego was strong, and he soon returned, making it his permanent home. Over the years, he gradually moved north within the region, residing in La Jolla, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and finally Oceanside.

In 1983, John met the love of his life, Melanie, while they both worked at Industrial Indemnity. They were married in 1986, embarking on a loving partnership that would last nearly four decades. Together, they welcomed two sons: John born in 1987, and James, born in 1989. John is survived by his devoted wife, Melanie; his beloved sons, John III (Krystal) and James (Caitlyn); his mother, Lou; and his younger brother, Robert (Katherine). He was preceded in death by his father, John Gill, and his stepfather, John Yergat.

John's life was defined by his profound connection to the outdoors and his diverse passions. He was an avid surfer, body surfer, snorkeler, scuba diver, and boogie boarder, spending countless hours at the beach, where he felt at home. His love for nature extended to the mountains as well; he was a dedicated backpacker, fly fisherman, and overall outdoor enthusiast. He proudly summited Mount Whitney twice and completed the majority of the John Muir Trail, along with exploring many other parts of the Eastern Sierras. Beyond his outdoor pursuits, John found joy in music, playing the drums and frequently drumming along to his favorite artists, including The Beach Boys, Cat Stevens, Huey Lewis and the News, Elton John, and Three Dog Night. In his 50s, he embraced a new artistic endeavor, earning an AA in Photography from Palomar College. His talent behind the lens led him to capture local sporting events, contribute to Surfline.com, and create stunning photographs for his friends and family, particularly of his beloved beaches and mountains. In his 60s, John took on a new role as a football official, proudly officiating Pop Warner and high school games alongside his son, John. John was also deeply committed to his community. He served on the Parks and Recreation board for the city of Encinitas, ran for city council in Carlsbad, and generously volunteered with Casting for Recovery, a fly-fishing retreat dedicated to supporting breast cancer survivors.

John was truly a big personality, known for his ability to light up any room he entered. Incredibly social, he loved to strike up conversations with anyone and everyone, eager to share his stories and passions, whether it was about surfing, hiking, fly fishing, or photography. He had a gift for storytelling and a natural talent for making people laugh, leaving a lasting impression on all who met him. Above all, John was deeply devoted to his family and friends, always willing to go the extra mile. He would drive for hours to help someone in need, show up with tools at the ready for a new project, and gave charitably for a loved one in need. He was a loving father, coaching baseball & football, teaching his sons to ski, hike, swim, surf, and fly fish, and imparting his handiness. He was their loudest cheerleader at soccer, football, tennis, theater, and all their endeavors, acting as a constant mentor and friend as they grew older. He was also a loving husband to Melanie, always prioritizing routine date nights, planning trips together, and acting as a true partner in life. John lived with an undeniable passion, which sometimes manifested in spirited yells at refs and umpires, frustrated exclamations at bad drivers, or even shouts at inanimate objects that dared to get in his way. This vibrant intensity was simply part of his unique charm and zest for life.

A service to celebrate John's life will be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Ocean Hills Country Club in Oceanside, California. His ashes will be scattered during a paddle-out ceremony on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 8:00 AM at Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to either Casting for Recovery or the Alzheimer's Association.