John Arthur Mahaffey, 85, of Bay City, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on March 22, 2024. He was born February 24, 1939, in Neosho, Missouri, to the late Julius Ansel Mahaffey and Grace Mae Anderson, where he was raised with three sisters and four brothers.

As a young man, he joined the Army National Guard of Missouri as a Cannoneer and qualified US rifle M1 Marksman. He continued his service in the United States Navy as an Aerographers Mate 3rd class on three destroyers, including the USS Cook, which was stationed off the coast of Japan during the Vietnam War. John was honorably discharged in 1964.

He married Sylvia Buentello in 1960 and settled in Texas. They had two children, Jeanette Nicole and Roland John. After the Navy, John worked for Amoco Oil Company in several roles including pumper and roustabout for 19 years, taking early retirement at 50. During this time, he divorced and relocated to Bay City. He met Eddy Perez and helped raise her three teenagers, Jesse, Joe, and Sandra. After many years together, they married on March 11, 1995. John invested his retirement savings from Amoco to purchase the 32-lot Cottonwood Creek Mobile Home Park in 1994 through the present.

Throughout his life, John was known as the most kindhearted man whose humor and quick wit were a gift and enjoyed by all. They planned many trips throughout their lives to visit with extended family from Missouri and Arizona and his daughter and grandchildren in California. John and Eddy spent their time together two-stepping and waltzing, and they visited the casinos in Louisiana often with their family. He had a passion for old westerns and was content to pass the time watching them throughout the day. He loved sweets, and it was a must after every meal. Eddy was happy to oblige and often baked all his favorites over their many years together.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Roland John Mahaffey, sisters Frances Kelly (Paul), Dorothy Clement (Robert), and Erma Childress (Bill), and brothers Bob, Frank, Earl, and infant brother Jack Mahaffey.

Survivors include his wife, Erizola "Eddy" Mahaffey; children Jeanette "Nikki" Pulling (Dave), Sandra Shirley (Benjamin), Joe Perez (Kari) and Jesse Perez; his twin brother Jerry Mahaffey (Violet); grandchildren Christa Jensen (Travis), Amanda Pulling, Megan Pulling, Zachary Pulling, Addison Mahaffey, Madilynn Perez, Brodie Perez and Tyler Perez (Dalia) and great grandchildren; Grayson Jensen, Xander Mahaffey, Ace Mahaffey and Liana Perez.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Thursday, March 28th, at Nichols Street Church of Christ located at 1200 Nichols Street.  Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 AM followed by a memorial service at 10:00 AM officiated by Deacon Guadalupe "Walley" Rodriguez.

Pallbearers will be Joey De La Rosa, Hector De La Rosa, Marc De La Rosa, Zachary Pulling, Brodie Perez and Tyler Perez.  Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Perez, Jesse Perez, David Pulling and Benjamin Shirley.