John Gregory

John Gregory Curiel was born on June 17, 1963, and passed on September 11, 2023, at 60 years old. He is survived by his beautiful wife, Alegria, and their three beautiful children. Carolina and her partner, Makayla Cruz, both 25 live in San Diego CA. John Paul, 17, and Giovanna, 16, attend the same high school that John graduated from, Valley Union High School in Elfrida.

John was born in Antioch, CA and moved to the Curiel family ranch in Elfrida at age eight with his parents, Arturo, and Juanita. After he graduated from Valley Union, John attended Cochise College and went on to attend San Diego State University, where he earned his master’s degree in international business. In Sonoma, CA, John worked as a sales manager, travelling all over the world. After moving back to Elfrida with his family, he worked as a correctional officer at the prison for ten years. After retiring he focused on caring for what is now his legacy for his children: his pecan farm.

In 1997, Alegria, living in Ecuador at the time, and John, living in California at the time, met over the phone and fell in love. They loved each other for 26 years and raised their three beautiful children together. John loved to attend his kids’ various sports games, play golf, care for his pecan orchard, raise horses, watch football (go Raiders), and listen to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He loved good food and wine; as well as just being with his family. John was a very animated and humorous man, could make anyone laugh. We grieve John with a very heavy heart and ask you to keep us in your prayers.