John Emrick, a Ventura social science teacher for 35 years and a 55-year Ventura resident, passed away on July 26 at age 90, in Ripon, California. Born on a farm near Somerton, Arizona on February 10, 1926, to Harrison and Pearl (Hansbrough) Emrick, attended Somerton Grammar School and graduated from Yuma High School in 1943. He joined the Navy and served as a medical and dental corpsman. In March, 1944, he married his high school sweetheart, Cora Alice Hanna. They had two children, Pearl and Steven.
   After John’s discharge from the Navy in 1946, the G.I. Bill enabled him to attend San Diego State College where he completed his BA in 1950. In 1951, he received his MA and Secondary Teaching Credential from UCLA. Subsequently, he completed additional graduate coursework in history at Stanford, Harvard and Columbia Universities.
    John began his teaching career in 1951 at Ventura Junior High School.  He moved to Anacapa Junior High School in 1954, to Ventura High School in 1959 and to Buena High School in 1961. In 1957-58, he and his family lived in Leicestershire, England where he served as a Fulbright exchange teacher. In 1964-65, he and his family lived in Belmont, Massachusetts where he was a John Hay Fellow at Harvard University. In the summer of 1968, he studied for 10 weeks at Columbia University. In 1969, he moved to Ventura College where he taught history and political science until his retirement in 1986. Shortly after his retirement, Cora, his wife of 42 years, passed away.
   In 1987, John married a long-time family friend, Gerry Dalmau, from Gilroy. They traveled widely in the United States and made several trips to Europe. John and Gerry moved from Ventura to Ripon in the San Joaquin Valley in 2006 to be closer to family. After 21 years of marriage, Gerry passed away in February, 2009.  John was also preceded in his passing by his daughter Pearl Robey, stepdaughter Gayl Dalmau, brother Elmer Emrick and sister Lillian Keys.
   He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Steve and Sandy Emrick of Ripon, stepdaughter Cathy Cunningham of San Martin, stepson Jay Dalmau of Goldendale, Washington and stepson Tim Dalmau of Tahoe City, as well as eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
   John lived out his final years in the Bethany Home Assisted Living community.  John’s family wants to express its appreciation for the care and support he received from Bethany’s staff who reflected Christ’s love for him. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the Bethany Home Society of San Joaquin County, Inc., 930 W. Main Street, Ripon, CA 95366 or online at www.Bethanyripon.org.
   Arrangements have been entrusted to Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel. As requested by John, a private burial will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, in Ventura. Share memories and condolences on his guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.
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Ripon
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, July 30, 2016