John Jerald Cardoza

John J. Cardoza John Jerald Cardoza was born in Olympia on October 3, 1952. He was the oldest child in a family of five children born to John and Rose Cardoza. His other siblings include Bryan Cardoza, Rebecca LeVesque, Roger Cardoza, and Pamella Hernandez. John and his family uprooted and moved to California when he was eight years old due to a family member’s illness. They lived in the Central Valley area, first in Hanford, then Lemoore. He held a variety of jobs, first in the clothing industry with the Catalina Sportswear Company, then for many years with a local grocery store chain. After meeting and marrying Debbie in 1979, they created a line of homemade wooden toys and games that they sold at Craft Fairs all over California and Nevada in the mid 80s. When their family was complete with two sons, John and Debbie decided to come "home" to John’s home state of Washington in 1990. Upon arrival, John was hired at the Lacey Fred Meyer and then eventually moved to the Tumwater store when it opened. Needing a career change after working there for 12 years, he started working for Catholic Community Services as a home care aide. He was a great help to his many clients, especially a young man with Downs Syndrome and an autistic boy. He truly enjoyed being an influence in their lives. John was very pleased to be living near his large extended Wilson side of the family, many of them dairy farmers both locally and in the Lake Quinault area. John was fondest of getting together with family for barbecues (Tri-tip of course) and game nights. His two favorites were "Nertz," a card game...and one simply known as "Dice." His last few years have been full of much joy at the marriages of both his sons to wonderful Christian women, and in loving all five of his grandchildren. John leaves this world to be with his Lord and Savior, leaving behind his wife of 33 years, Debbie; his son, Sean and his wife Venita, and their three children, Megan, Ethan, and Collin; his son, Matthew and his wife Julie, and their two daughters, Abigail and little Evelyn. Please leave memories of John or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.