John Corson

February 28, 1936 - February 19, 2021

John Edmund Corson, 84, of Bakersfield, died on February 19, 2021. John was born in Stockton, California, to James and Dorothy Corson on his brother's 5th birthday. After the family's move to Modesto in 1947, John graduated from Modesto High and Modesto Junior College before returning to Stockton where he graduated from the University of the Pacific (1957), serving as student body president at both MJC and UOP. His "call to ministry" came during his student years of youth leadership in the church.

He met Sylvia Bradbury in Stockton, enjoyed a 10 month courtship, and they married on August 25, 1957. Then, John studied at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley while Sylvia finished her degree at the University of California, both graduating in 1960. John was ordained by the United Methodist Church in 1958. During his 43 years of ministry, he pastored 5 churches in Northern California. Among them was First United Methodist Church, Bakersfield from 1976-1987, followed by a 7 year term as the San Jose Area District Superintendent. His last assignment was Pastor of the San Ramon Valley UMC, Alamo.

John was a gifted pastor and recognized Methodist leader. As a student, he served as President of the National Conference of Methodist Youth. After serving two pastorates, he received a Fellowship for post-graduate study at PSR for the 1969-70 academic year. In 1975, he participated in a summer Pastors' Exchange in England with his family. He chaired the Central California Interfaith Disaster Network following the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. He led the California-Nevada Delegation to the 1992 United Methodist General Conference. He and Sylvia were delegates to 4 World Methodist Conferences, led 3 tours to the Holy Land, and organized other educational tours. Their travels continued into retirement, and over the years they visited all 7 continents and over 100 countries. One of John's most satisfying volunteer efforts was his 15 years on the Board of Regents at University of the Pacific. He was a loyal supporter of Pacific.

John was a loving husband and devoted father, "reserving" Mondays for family time. Memories include vacations at the Strawberry family cabin which included fishing, hiking, and backpacking in the Sierras. John supported his children's school and sports events, and shared a family cross-country trip with them in 1978 through 24 states! Each child had an overseas trip with dad and mom, also. John worked hard, but knew how to have fun. He was a passionate fisherman, a skilled photographer, loved music, enjoyed Pinochle, and was a keen "Peanuts" fan. John had a sense of humor, a compassion for people, and cherished his friendships.

In 2001, John and Sylvia retired in Bakersfield to be near their sons and friends from their earlier ministry here. John was on the founding board for Kern's Goodwill Industries, a member of Bethany Community Center's Board, served on Kern High School District's Clergy Advisory Committee, and was active in the Bakersfield Ministerial Association. He was an enthusiastic resident of Rosewood Retirement Community at the time of his death. As a preacher, John saw his role as being called to "comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable." The heart of his Christian faith is summarized in 1 Corinthians 13: "Faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love."

John is survived by Sylvia, his wife of 63 years; sons, John Peter (Rita) and Thomas James (Michelle); daughter, Mary McAllister (Lloyd) and grandsons, Justin, Jack, and Gavin; sister, Marianne Giddings; brother, Richard (Roberta); sister-in-law, Jane Corson; brother-in-law John Bradbury (Elaine); several cousins, and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceding John in death were sons Philip and Stephen, his parents, his brother Jim, brother-in-law George, and Sylvia's parents, Jack and Frances Bradbury.

A Private graveside service will be held at a later date in Modesto, California and a celebration of life will take place in the future.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Corson Latin America Endowment,

(Heifer Foundation, PO Box 727, Little Rock, AR 72203); the Stephen Corson Award Endowment, (University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211); the Sylvia Corson Endowment Scholarship, (CSUB Foundation, 9001 Stockdale Highway-19W, Bakersfield, CA 93311); the John Edmund Corson

Scholarship Fund, (Modesto Junior College Foundation, East Campus - Room 105, 435 College Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350).

www.bakersfield.com/obits