John Edward Givens

John Edward Givens came into the world on February 19, 1958 and left peacefully May 6, 2026 at home with his family. John was born in Illinois and moved with his parents and siblings soon after to Northern California where he was raised.

When John was young, he worked several jobs, but his favorite was working in a cabinet shop where he discovered his talents in drawing and building. John joined the US Army and after basic training he was stationed in Germany where he served as an Army Unit Supply Specialist.

After completing his service, John returned to California. He and his daughters, Belinda and Iola lived in the East Bay Area. He worked at the Navel Supply Station, and then for different construction companies.

John and his girls left the East Bay and moved to Lake Berryessa to be closer to his dad. John became the head of the maintenance crew at Rancho Monticello Resort. There, he met Becky, the love of his life, and with their children, Belinda, Iola, Nick and Sarah, they became a family.

In 2004, they moved to St. Helena where John started his own business, Givens Construction. He worked the rest of his career as a General Contractor. He was a Master Carpenter with exceptional attention to detail. He loved working for his clients and transforming their homes into luxurious spaces.

In 2020, John began working with Share the Care, a nonprofit serving the elderly of Napa Valley. John provided home modifications for seniors, installing grab bars, transfer bars, and ramps. He got great joy out of spending time with the seniors, listening to their stories, and making their homes safer.

John enjoyed drawing, waterskiing, boating, motorcycle riding, cooking, spending time with friends, and leaf blowing.

He liked to be busy and always had a project or two in the works. He loved planning annual motorcycle adventures with his brothers, family gatherings, going on rides, having lunch with friends, and holidays. But most of all, he loved his family and was very proud of the people his children grew up to be.

In 2021, John was diagnosed with cancer. John and Becky moved to Angwin, where he began his battle. John received excellent care at UCSF and from the Martin-O’Neal Cancer Center in St. Helena. He was friendly, loved to talk, and soon knew everyone who worked in the Center, the lab, the pharmacy, and other areas of the hospital. John woke up happy every day with a positive attitude and a strong will to live. No matter how he was feeling, he got up and got going. John kept busy around the house making repairs, working in the yard, and cooking.

John loved meeting and getting to know people. He was a good friend and to know him was to love him.

John was preceded in death by his father, George Givens, his mother, Roberta Hannaford, and his daughter, Belinda Givens.

John is survived by his wife Becky Givens; his children, Iola Givens, Sarah and Nick McMaster; his Father and Mother in law, Chuck and Sally Buckley; his siblings, Clif Givens, Chuck Givens, Cathy Wilkes, Tom Givens, Carol Averil, brother and sister in law, Chad Buckley, Stacy McGill, and their respective spouses; several nieces, nephews, family members and friends who will miss him deeply.

Donations in John’s name may be made to Share the Care, Napa Valley

Share the Care Napa Valley

VENMO: @sharethecarenv
162 South Coombs Street
Napa, CA 94559-4531

Please include John’s name with your donation

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