John Joseph Castellanos — 1949-2016

John Joseph Castellanos

Longtime South Lake Tahoe attorney John Joseph Castellanos died Nov. 5, 2016. He was 67.

Castellanos was born Oct. 31, 1949, in Stockton. He was the second of six children born to Jose Juan and Lucille Castellanos.

Castellanos spent his early years in Stockton, attending local schools. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School, attended San Joaquin Delta College and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Upon his return from military service he completed his undergraduate work at Sacramento State College. He then graduated from Lincoln Law School.

He practiced in Sacramento before moving to South Lake Tahoe.

Castellanos was an avid golfer.

He believed in making the world a better place, in helping people and in the importance of family and friends. He strongly believed in the power of hope and love.

Castellanos is survived by his wife, Lisa; son Zach; stepson Michael Wood; daughter and son-in-law Sara and Carlos Cortez; granddaughters Luz and Sofia; brothers and sisters Stephan (Linda Derivi), Christine, Susan Gonyo (Bill), David (Sharon) and Catherine (Kevin Heverin); and numerous nieces and nephews, including Gian and Anna Derivi-Castellanos, Allyson and Kevin Gonyo, Joshua and Emma Castellanos-Rose, and Miles and Gabriel Heverin.

Funeral services will be Nov. 16 at 1pm at St. Theresa Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe. A reception will at Tep’s Villa Roma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.