Johnny Westbrook

Raised in Napa, Ca. by Mom - Lillian Westbrook & Step-Dad Pinky Johnson, 2 brothers Tommy & Kenney and 1 half-sister all deceased. One remaining sibling Garrie Westbrook. Tommy's wife Jill Westbrook and children: Jason, Peggy, Diana Beloc and Mel Westbrook. Kenney's children: Joshua, John, Jeremiah & Karey Westbrook. His loving wife of 42 years, Darlene Westbrook. Close family Jeanne & Dale Hickman, son Shawn Luchin, Evelyn & Rick Perry, Adriana & Bradley Jones, son Joe Kenton, Shannon Oliveira, son: Jordan Oliveira. Without children of his own, Johnny had a large compacity to be there for all of us when it was important. We were all blessed by him.

Raised in Napa and graduated Napa High School 1968, his career actually started in High School working at construction sites and hanging dry wall. Very young he worked hard in construction and bought a condo to show his independence. He started working with Cooney and Co. in the early 1980's and became a partner. They achieved together, some fantastic renovations throughout the bay area. Johnny loved doing remodels and with flare. He worked with Cooney & Co. for 25 years, happily. During his construction work he often had some of his family assist. Shawn worked with Johnny after graduating high school. Shawn said he loved working with his uncle John. Rick Perry and Dale Hickman Johnny's brothers-in-laws also worked on occasion with Johnny on projects. One thing for sure, Johnny always fed his workers very well!!

Johnny Westbrook and Darlene Rice enjoyed a 9-year courtship before they married in 1979, allowing 42 years happily married. They traveled to many countries where he enjoyed scuba diving, and experiencing the joy of eating international cuisines. Over the years his love of cooking and dining out he learned to perfect many dishes. He traded his labor as a carpenter to learn new techniques and recipes from our home town chefs. As he perfected his skills as an excellent home chef the family was always ready to be the "guinea pig". The local chefs always enjoyed seeing his arrival with fresh goods. When we had wet seasons, he would even go mushroom foraging for the best and tastiest mushrooms in our forests and local farms. Gardening also a passion for him, provided the freshest vegies for his recipes. He would always be up to helping with an event coming up that may seat 75-100 people. With innovation, Johnny would seek to work smarter not harder with tools for his carpenter trade or with his joy of cooking. He was always organized with his tools whether it was cooking or carpentry. He would say "there is a right tool for every job and it's important to put every tool back in its place". His family and friends always looked forward to one of Johnny's epic holiday meals made with love and perfection.

Another pastime for him was fishing. He organized fishing for his young nieces and nephews and later he organized adult fishing trips with friends or family. His nieces loved fishing with Uncle Johnny and as they matured, he even welcomed one of them into his home. When Adri had her son Joe Kenton they stayed with Johnny and Darlene for a while and Johnny enjoyed teaching little Joe to cook and make things. It was good fun for both of them.

Johnny played horse shoes in our community in tournaments and enjoyed it as his sport most of his life. In his later years he started playing Bocce at the senior center.

Anyone that knew Johnny enjoyed his very quick wit and great sense of humor. He had a special way of just listening to people and making a comment that could cause his friends and family to break out with laughter and still make his point. Johnny volunteered his time and skill many times for church and church families as a chef or as carpenter. Johnny was multi-talented and even played a scripted part of Jesus in a church Easter service depicting the crucifixion. One thing for sure about him, Johnny was all in, or not in, at all. We all learned quickly that if you don't want a harsh truth from Johnny don't ask. You always knew where you stood with him, no guess work. Johnny will be missed by his friends and family because of who he was.

Johnnys final resting place: Tulocay Cemetery. Private family service details to follow.

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