John P. Grable

1944-2025

John Grable was born to Mildred Paige and Gordon Grable on March 28, 1944. John and his two sisters, Coralee and Phyllis, were raised in Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, John enlisted in the Navy; the experience of his military service and travels initiated the adventurous life centered in the western U.S. that would follow.

He was a free spirit who arrived in 1969 to Isla Vista where he lived for most of the rest of his years. John had many skills as well as ocassional demons and his life encompassed a series of personal reinventions. He worked for the Isla Vista Dept. of Parks and Recreation and was rightfully proud of the small jewel Window to the Sea park, an example of his careful labor and understanding of the interconnectedness of life.

John’s respect for nature shone through many of his activities, from tending horses as a wrangler at Rancho Oso, to his involvement with Mountain Man Rendezvous, to his long, observant early morning walks that marked the rhythm of his days for many years.

John fell in love with Native American culture and he spent more than 25 years living, breathing, reverently practicing and perfecting the art of beadworking. He truly believed that the Earth is our Mother and this belief shaped his dreams as well as his waking hours.

The last decades of his life, John resided at Friendship Manor in Isla Vista where he discovered a community of friends and in turn was a friend to many. He delighted his neighbors with his sense of humor; he delighted his friends with his intense Democrat sensibility.

John will be missed and remembered, a wild soul, “Mad John”, who found his unique way in the world and counted his blessings each day.

John is survived by his two sisters, many friends, and almost four ex-wives.