John Charles Sullivan, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at his Woodland home on December 6, 2024 at the age of 97. John was a lifelong Californian born in Santa Paula, California, on February 22, 1927. His career in the California oil fields included 38 years with the Division of Oil and Gas in the California Department of Conservation until his retirement in 1992 as a Deputy State Oil &Gas Supervisor.

After retirement, John enjoyed reading, gardening, woodworking, and traveling. He and his wife Arlene traveled extensively around the country and throughout the world. John was an avid car camper and enjoyed planning trips with his children and grandchildren. John was an active parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for nearly 50 years, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a volunteer at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Food Closet, and a retired driver of the parish Care Car, which helped non-drivers get to church.

John graduated from Bakersfield High School in February 1945 and immediately joined the U.S. Army. World War II ended while John was on troop transport in the Pacific Ocean, and he spent his service years in Okinawa.

He graduated from Bakersfield College and then from Fresno State College with a degree in Geology. He later completed graduate level classes at the University of Southern California. He was a member of both the American Institute of Professional Geologists and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He held California Geologist license number 171.

John is survived by his wife of 72 years Arlene, their four children, son Joe and wife Kay Brooks, daughter Janet Steiner and husband Martin, son John and wife Cathy, and daughter Judy Landers; fourteen grandchildren, Laura Lin and husband Nick, Aine Mines and husband Greg, Max Steiner, Victor Steiner and wife Jessie, Beibhinn Steiner, Sarah Sullivan, Greg Sullivan and wife Katie, Eryn Kochly and husband John, Maggie Leininger and husband Jerry, Joe Landers, Tara Landers, Meegan Brooks and husband Mike Kimiecik, Skyler Grove and husband Aubrey, and Tess Knightbrook and husband Joey; and twelve great grandchildren.

Services will be held Thursday, January 16, 2024 at 10 AM at the Holy Rosary Community Center at 575 California Street with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the UC Davis Medical Center, the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, or a charity of your choosing.