John Gahvejian Obituary

John Gahvejian passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday September 17, 2025 at 8:20 p.m. where he was surrounded by his family and the presence of the Holy Spirit with him.

John was born into this world on May 21, 1931 in Fresno, Ca at their family home to his parents Mugerdich and Vaselooshi Gahvejian on Raisina Street which is now First Armenian Presbyterian Church. John attended Jackson Elementary School and Roosevelt High School. Johnny and his brother Jacky would go to Holmes Playground and sell peanuts to help raise money for the family. Occasionally they would take their little sister Patsy with them. After high school John went on to attend Fresno Tech and then Fresno State. It was then he was drafted into the Army where he first served in the state of Washington and then was transferred to Ft. Ord where he could be closer to his family. He was a medic for the remainder of his duty served. Now here is where the stories usually start with "And then he met the love of his life". Wellnot in John's case! Back-up to around 1940 or so when he would go get himself a job at Chituni's Market in Armenia Town. That is where he met a little girl by the name of Lorrie Chituni. Little did he know then that 15 years later she would become his wife. After an Honorable discharge from Ft. Ord, in 1955 John and Lorrie married in Fresno, CA at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. John had started a sales career with a company, Blake Moffett and Towne, where he continued to work until the company sold. In 1959 they welcomed their first daughter Carrie, followed in 1961 by Sharon and 1964 with the birth of Debbie.

John loved to take the family on summer vacations to Lake Tahoe with Karnig and Roxie every August often times the same week vacationing, the Potigian's and the Boghosian's would be there joining in the good summer days boating and beach days and evening dinners. John and Lorrie traveled the world throughout their lives together and so enjoyed trips with their many friends.

His biggest adventure and journey was in 1980 at the age of 49, John quit his job at the former Blake Moffett and Towne/Unisource. With the encouragement of his brother-in-law Paul Boghosian and Father-in-law Karnig Chituni, John and Lorrie started Mid Valley Packaging and Supply Company in a little tiny dehydrator office on the Boghosian Raisin property. It started with raisin packing companies that would follow him to his new company. He had two employees at the start, Lorrie and Don Tucker. John would take the orders, call them in, and then he would deliver them in the Ranchero he bought from Phillip Parnagian. Little by little he added more customers, more employees. He then blinked an eye and 2025 MVP has 79 staff employees, plus staffing company employees, a fleet of 26 tracker trailers, and 3 locations. John's philosophy was "customer service"! We will give them whatever they need and whenever they need it.

John stopped coming to MVP in 2020 but his drive, passion and compassion has never stopped! He taught us all well.

John was preceded in death by his parents Mugerdich and Vaselooshi Gahvejian, In-Laws Karnig and Roxie Chituni, Brother Jack Gahvejian, Sister's Sirun Esajian, Claire Krikorian, Armon Boghosian, Helen Minasian, Patt Potigian and his Loving Wife Lorrie.

John is survived by his daughters Carrie Gahvejian, Sharon (Scott) Boyajian, Debbie (John) O'Brien, Grand Children, Erik (Sareen) Creede, Stephanie (Alexander) Mangold. Elizabeth, Samantha (Daniel Grespie), Kaci Boyajian. Allyson (Gunner) White. Elise (Ben Sorensen). Tess O'Brien, Anna (Chad) Fugman, and 10-Great Grand Children.

The Family would like to thank the women who lovingly cooked, cared, and watched over John since 2018, Ruzanna Margaryan, Gayane Gharibyan, and Anahit Aubazyan and a special thank you to Jacob Ramirez for his extra hand this year, your love was unconditional.

Home Service will be at Yost and Webb Thursday October 2, 2025 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Funeral Services at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Friday October 3, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. followed by Burial at Ararat Armenian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Community Medical Centers.

C/o Community Cancer Institute.

[email protected].

Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation.

C/o Hand and Upper Extremity Program.

9300 Valley Children's Place.

Madera, CA 93636.

Or Donor's Favorite Charity.