John Paboojian Jr passed away on March 11, 2026 at the age of 89

John was born on February 24, 1937 in Fowler, California to John and Rose Paboojian. John was the oldest of three children he had two sisters Jeanette  and Joanne.

John grew up in a close knit family with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living in close proximity in Fowler, California. John grew up working on the farm for his dad and his grandfather.

John attended Fowler High School where he was a star athlete in Football and baseball. He was chosen to play in the first annual North South Allstar football game where he returned a punt for 60 yards and stood as a record for up to 40 years.

After graduating from Fowler High School in 1955 he attended Fresno State for one year before entering the United States Marine Corps in 1956. John was stationed at Camp Pendleton holding the rank of Private First Class. He was also stationed in the Philippines and Los Alamos New Mexico.

After leaving the military in 1958, John began farming the 20 acres he inherited back as a young adult. He also started a wine grape picking company that he owned and operated for 15 plus years.
In 1959 he met and dated Carolyn Judith Thompson until they married on
February 4, 1961. John continued farming expanding the 20 acres to 1,000 acres in the late 1970's.  John's farms were producing in excess of 2,500 tons annually so he felt it was time to purchase and old raisin plant in  Selma, California in 1972. John continued running the raisin plant until 2017.

John was also a professional team roper. John began his roping hobby in 1962 reaching his pinnacle in 1969 finishing second place at the National Finals Rodeo. John went on to having an outstanding career as a heeler in the professional ranks winning multiple championships until he retired from his hobby in his early 70's.

John also had a second hobby owning and flying his own airplanes. His first plane was a Cessna 210 and then later after he continued his education becoming an instrument rated pilot he purchased a Twin Turbo Prop Cessna Conquest I.

John is survived by his wife Carolyn Paboojian, son Greg Paboojian and his wife Robin, son Nick Paboojian, grandchildren Luke, Sayer, Jordan , Caleb and Aaron. His sister Jeanette Parnagian and husband Pete and sister Joanne Iknoian. John is proceeded in death by his parents John and Rose Paboojian