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Please join the Soto Family in celebrating the life of John P. Soto at Mamma restaurant in Davis, CA on Saturday, February 1, 2025. John Paul Soto, 73, of Davis, CA passed away on December 30, 2024 surrounded by his family. He suffered a stroke at home and was kept on life support at Sutter Davis Hospital. Due to his healthy lifestyle and commitment to serving others, he was able to be an organ donor.
John Soto was like a diamond, made of the strongest substance. He was multifaceted and each of you got to see the light of yourself reflected by him.
John was born in Stockton, CA and attended William C. Overfelt High School in San Jose. The youngest child of Liberato Al and Augustina Soto, he deeply cherished his older siblings, Alice and Richard “Ace”. He loved spending time with his many cousins and his friends, often sharing a slice at House of Pizza and a couple of wild years.
John started his martial arts studies in his teens and friends saw first hand that he was disciplined and worked harder than most at his art. He worked up to a black belt and was a state champion in karate.
He attended San Jose State University where he studied Liberal Arts and met Diane Joiner. The ballet studio where she taught was next to his karate studio. He saw her through the window one day and decided he “had” to take ballet to “help with karate”. It was love at first sight for him as he told his father, but he bided his time and first built a true friendship for years. They studied under Mr. Dimitry Romanoff and were in the Ballet San José as dance partners. Diane and John were an inspiration to the company as both dancers and people.
John and Diane married in 1980 in Eugene, Oregon and then moved to Davis, CA in 1985 with their first baby, Megan. Their sons, Mario and Miles, were born soon after and John gave his kids his whole heart. The couple built their redwood home with the help of their own fathers. That home became a base for their three children’s friends throughout their childhood. Many still call him “Papa Soto” and consider him a 2nd father. John coached Little League for years. John and Diane provided their children a wonderful childhood in the community. They also shared some great times together in their happy place, Hawaii.
With a heart of service, John built a business in insurance and financial advising through Prudential, where he made lifelong friends. Rarely a day went by where he didn’t bring in coffee or food for others in the office. He demonstrated the highest integrity and authenticity in taking care of his clients, year after year ranking in the top 1% of the company. He studied the business for hours every day and constantly sought out more education to do what was best for the clients who trusted him. As both a manager and agent, he trained and helped many get started with their careers. Those under his wing often said he was the best boss and mentor they ever had. He worked until his last day trying to make sure they were all taken care of.
John’s wisdom and consideration for this health grew as he aged. Davis community members know him from taking Zumba for years and then through yoga. He became a cornerstone at Akasha yoga studio in Davis, exemplifying all that is yoga and taking 2,034 classes. He often forgot to sign in, so perhaps many more!
Ask anyone and they would say John’s priority and pride was his family. He shared special relationships with each of his three children. He showed up for every competition and performance, every celebration and every hardship. They each developed deep friendships with him as adults. Megan, his first born, treasured morning hot coffees, sage guidance in building her own life and business and the dances they shared. Mario, his second, was the last person he mentored in the business, working with him for the past 9 years. Not only were they together at work, they also trained 3 days per week at Get Fit Davis Sport. They were regularly seen downtown, particularly at new businesses John wanted to help thrive. Miles, his third, shared his joy of going to games of 49ers, the Giants and the Kings and love of splitting good food and a cold beer together. His son-in-law, Alex Soto Kane, and daughter-in-law, Alyssa Coates Soto, he loved as his own children. John was an incredible role model for all of them as a father and provider.
13 years ago, John became a grandfather and bloomed in the role. Oliver (13), Ayla (10), Charlie (4) and Travis (1) were the joys of his life. When the babies were inconsolable, they found their calm in his arms. He felt blessed in his life. The family regrets he will not be here in person to guide them in their growth but his legacy lives in their blood.
Many of us sought his advice. Now, he would tell us all, “It’s ok”. He would say he is at peace. Jesus was in his heart and now he is in His hands. He centered his life on his faith and attended Bayside Church Davis in his last years.
Truly, he came to embody the type of Love as written in 1 Corinthians 13:4.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
If you knew him, you know you were blessed. His memory is a blessing that will continue for generations. What a privilege and the highest honor to have known and loved this man.
In his memory, buy someone a cup of coffee. Please send donations to Davis Little League https://davis-little-league.myshopify.com/
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
226 F St, Davis, CA 95616-4515, United States
