John Steven Compoginis

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Steven Compoginis, beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. John left this world on April 29, 2025, after a heroic eight-month battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife Lura, his daughters Angela (Israel) and Katina, his grandchildren Rhys and Magnolia, and his younger brothers Louis and Dean as well as many cousins, nephews and niece, close friends, and professional colleagues.

John Steven Compoginis was born in Berkeley, California on February 11, 1951, the firstborn son of Steven J. Compoginis and Helen Compoginis (n. Christos). He was raised inAlbany and later Sacramento, graduating from Rio Americano High School in 1969. After 3 years in college, John was uninspired and saved for a ticket to Europe with a friend.

Johnny and Bob landed at a youth hostel in London and took off on a 2-month tour via Eurail of France, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia and Greece, visiting relatives in Thessaloniki. Bob then flew back, and the real challenges began! John did not have money for traveling so had to work his way through Europe.

While in Amsterdam, John purchased a 1969 VW Van, converted to a camper. After spending his last $800 on the van, he needed a job to continue his travels, so he put up a sign at the American Express office for riders to contribute $30 each for a ride to Switzerland. He landed at Glacier Sports Ski Shop in Zermatt, Switzerland where he was hired for the season and provided with new skis/boots while working for the shop.

After the ski season was over, it was time to head south with new friends to a warmer climate. Driving through France and the tiny country of Andorra into Barcelona, Spain, they set their sights on the islands of Majorca, and after loading the van onto the ferry, they were off! A chance meeting with the first mate of the large 120’ yacht Vagrant, owned by Apple Records, netted John a job as a crew member. The yacht was to sail up to Cannes Film Festival to catch up with Donovan, George Harrison and Pattie Boyd. Unfortunately, Pattie turned up sick and the trip was scrubbed. After some yachting excursions in Majorca, it was time to head back to Switzerland to sell the van to a friend and return home to Sacramento.

John subsequently attended and graduated with Dean’s Honors from CSU, Sacramento with a degree in English.

John was a fun, bold, adventurous and very social person. He worked for many years in sales and customer support in the concrete and construction supply industries. All who knew him well were aware of his life-long passion for classic cars, boats and motorcycles which was only surpassed by his love and dedication to his wife, family, home, and community.

John enjoyed early success in classic automobile sales in Portland, Oregon, where he was also involved in supporting jazz music venues. There he met his wife-to-be, Lura, and after returning to Sacramento and marrying in 1984 at the Greek Orthodox Church, they were subsequently blessed with the birth of their daughters, first Angela, and then Katina. Ever the adventurous spirits, John and Lura spent their first year as parents to Angela on a charming houseboat on the Sacramento River.

John was an avid skier, skydiver, and somewhat of a daredevil. He always had a need for speed and still managed to escape the clutches of death with his mischievous and confident attitude. By 19 years, he had already survived running through a plate glass window, a ‘mishap” at the Young Life Haunted House involving his friend Jeff as the “surgeon” and a large hunting knife, and a crash in a small airplane while working for Farm Air.

A private funeral service will be held for close family and friends at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride! '” ~ Hunter S. Thompson

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