Johnny Souza passed away Feb. 23 surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Johnny owned and operated Diamond Hay Company, providing hay to many local dairy farmers. A contract buyer with Associated Feed Company, Johnny bought hay throughout Northern California, as well as Nevada and Oregon, a job he truly loved. In his spare time he was an avid golfer and outstanding bowler. He also enjoyed playing softball at Mt. View ballpark. Johnny will long be remembered as a kind, humorous man with many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Adeline Souza.  
He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ellen; son, John Souza, Jr.; daughter, Michelle Mims (Robert); brother, Ray Souza (Lynette); sisters-in-law, Mari Anderson and Sandy Williamson (John); brother-in-law, Steve Anderson (Linda); and his nieces and nephews, Megan, Spencer, Kelsey, Hayley, Natalie, Rick, Jaymi Lyn (Robert), Dominic and Tracy.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, March 1 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd. in Turlock. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 2 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at the Sunset Mausoleum at Turlock Memorial Park.
Donations may be made in his memory to: The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or the SPCA at www.spca.org. Friends may share their condolences to the family at www.turlockmemorialpark.com.