In Memoriam: John E. Stubbs

Long-time Canyon Lake resident John Stubbs, 71, passed away on Nov. 24 after a long battle with COVID-19 Pneumonia. He was fully vaccinated, but had not yet received his booster.

John E. Stubbs

John was a native Californian, born in Los Angeles in 1950. His parents were both sturdy Missouri farm stock. He grew up in Anaheim and the family moved to Tustin on his 13th birthday. “Happy Birthday John! Grab another box.” John attended Foothill High School where he played baseball and football. After graduation, he attended Saddleback College where he also played baseball.

As with so many boys of the 1950s, he fell in love with the game of baseball. Beginning with neighborhood games in empty lots, it was then onto Little League, endless hours of Wiffle Ball, high school baseball, college ball and a bit of semi-pro ball after college. An Angels fan from childhood, he attended games with his Grandpa and eventually became an Angels Season Ticket holder. John promoted and encouraged the game, and coached his wife’s women’s softball team and Canyon Lake Little League teams.

After his mom, Dee Rafferty, moved to Canyon Lake, John, who was an avid water skier, was hooked on the community. He said it was as close as he would ever come to owning his own lake. So, in 1986, he sold his Tustin home, and moved his young family to Canyon Lake.

The family quickly became a part of the community. John was a Boy Scout Troop co-Scoutmaster. He had many happy memories and stories from the outings with the Scout troop that included his two sons. John was very proud that his son’s Josh and Jeremy grew up to be good men who are great dads and husbands.

John studied architecture in college and received an AA degree, but he wanted to build stuff. He honed his craft as a Framer/Carpenter and then became a General Contractor. As a Contractor, he built custom homes, remodeled homes and built decks. Many of his jobs were in Canyon Lake. He took pride in his work and happily called his customers “friends.”

The last 14 years of John’s career were spent as a third-party inspector. It was a perfect job for him because after so many years of building quality product, looking for flaws or inconsistencies in a building was just second nature.

Known as “Johnny 3 Wood,” he was a member of the Canyon Lake Men’s Golf Club for more than 20 years. That trusty 3 wood often ended up the longest drive up the fairway of those with which he played. John was seen regularly in his yellow golf cart.

Not just a golfer, John was a founding member of the Canyon Lake Car Club. It was hard to miss him cruising his bright yellow ‘34 Ford Coupe. Yellow was John’s signature color “because it’s happy.”

John never met a stranger. He will be remembered as one of the friendliest guys you will ever meet. He brightened every room he entered and brought out the best in others. Many will remember him with his little dog Gracie. Whether running an errand to the Canyon Lake POA office, bank or grocery store, little Gracie was always with him and together they were ready to meet and greet everyone they encountered.

He teased and joked endlessly. If his wife Babette complained, he simply explained, “I have to show you how much I love you!”

John will be deeply missed as he truly touched the lives of many. He is survived by his wife Babette, son Josh and daughter-in-law Michelle of Canyon Lake, son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Rachael of Murrieta, grandchildren Jake, Taylor, Bella and Jayson, great grandchildren Andersyn and Jackson, and sisters Jena, Jill and Jane.

A celebration of life to honor John will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Jan. 6h at the Canyon Lake Country Club.

For those planning on attending, please RSVP by calling Babette or by emailing janddwashle@gmail.com.