John V. Gaona

John V. Gaona left for the Casino in the sky on August 25, 2012. He was preceded in death by his mother Virginia; sister, Liza (Tommy) and brother, Richard. John was born in Tiger, AZ in July, 1942, and is survived by his brothers and sisters; Pete (Carmen), Estevan, Tommy (Jenise), Randy (Alma), Virginia (Dan), George, Andres (Silvia), Antonio (Lourdes), Angelita (Bruce) and Fred. John was "Godfather" "Nino" to Melissa and Michael, and also had numerous nieces and nephews. John was in the Marines during the Cuban missile crises and was a jet aircraft mechanic aboard the aircraft carrier Oriskany. Many of John's stories while in the Marines were about the ports he visited and the fun he had. For the last 20 years John was employed at the Desert Diamond Casino as a slot attendant. John enjoyed the clientele at Desert Diamond and often spoke fondly of his interactions with customers that made his work enjoyable. He also enjoyed his fellow employees at the Desert Diamond and was friends with many of them. John requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Arizona Cancer Center for research/treatment of prostate cancer, or Hospice Family Care. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Blessing at MARTINEZ FUNERAL CHAPELS, 2580 S. 6th Ave. An interment will follow the next day at South Lawn Cemetery at 9:00 a.m.