John Patrick (Jack) Chard
On May 1, 2024, after a brief illness, with family by his side, Jack drove on from his earthly journey to his heavenly home complete with endless hot rods of every imaginable kind.
Born on March 18, 1938 in Santa Barbara California. He lived a long and full life, and his kindness, strong faith, and loyalty to his friends and family will be remembered forever. His passing leaves behind cherished memories.
Jack lived in Santa Barbara for the better part of his life, growing up with his siblings, Alice, Gwen, Art and Shirley. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1956. He loved the city, raising his daughter there, working in the grocery business starting from the time he was a teenager until he retired in 2000.
He was a dedicated “car guy”, with a phenomenal knowledge of both the early hot rods, fat fendered ‘30 models and the classics. His first love affair with cars was drag racing and in the ‘50’s he and his buddies built a drag race car that he drove at the Goleta race track winning many trophies. He belonged to the Dusters and the Oldies with Goodies car clubs. He was a regular at the car shows all over California and into Nevada where he showed his cars and won trophies from ‘best in show’ to ‘best back seat’. He rarely missed a car show always looking for a car he hadn’t seen yet.
Jack was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Lydia Chard, his sisters, Alice Tarbush and Gwen Pellamounter, and his brother Art Chard. He is survived by his dear sister Shirley Kunze, his loving wife, Bonny, his cherished daughter, Chamaine Rietman and her husband Bill, and his three dearly loved grandchildren Haley, Makaela and Julia. Also his step daughters, Laura Dinning (Ron), Natalie Guttentag (Scott), Kelly Studer (Rick) and Leslie Rapp. His Step-Grandchildren, Gabrielle and Zachary Guttentag, Sierra Breidenstein, Taylor Jane Harlin, Christine Studer and Tessa Dinning.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated to honor Jack’s life at 11:00 on May 31, at the Santa Ines Mission in Solvang. Everyone who knew him is welcome to attend.
Our special thanks to our VNA nurse, Jodi, who worked tirelessly in the last days of his life, attending to him and comforting him as he went into the loving arms of our heavenly Father
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to VNA Health at 509 E. Montecito Street, Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 or by visiting their website at www.vna.health.
Loper Funeral Chapel Directors