Our beloved Joseph (Joe) John Layous died peacefully on December 23, 2013, at Eden Valley Care Center in Soledad, CA at the age of 94 of natural causes, surrounded by his loving family.

The third of three sons, Joe was born on October 16, 1919 in San Benito County to John and Catherine Layous, both immigrants from France who settled in the Salinas Valley. He lived most of his life in King City, CA, graduating from King City High School in 1937. After high school, he pursued education in Business Administration at Armstrong Business College in Berkeley, CA until 1940. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country during WWII. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska, procuring supplies for soldiers of the company. He returned safely to King City in 1945 and began working in his lifelong profession as a farmer and rancher for the John Layous and Sons farm with his father and two brothers, Laurent and Marcel.

A year later on Halloween night, Joe was set up on a blind date with Patricia (Pat) Cain. His life was never to be the same as the two fell in love and were engaged on New Year's Eve three years later. Showing their romantic side, Joe and Pat announced their engagement to friends on the resolution board at a New Year's Eve party by vowing to be the best husband and wife to each other. They were married on May 7, 1949 and resided most of their life on Copley Avenue where they raised their three sons and three daughters. Their family was completed in 1972 when their fourth son, Rudy Segobia, came to live with them. The family has long admired the love the two shared for each other, holding hands and kissing until Pat's death in 2007.

Although family was king to Joe, he also excelled at work and volunteered countless hours in the community with causes he loved. Along with growing row crops such as sugar beets and lettuce, John Layous and Sons farm also raised Hereford cattle that were known throughout California and Hawaii for their quality, including some which earned the esteemed designation of Superstar Sire from the Show Ring Register of Merit. He was a devoted Catholic and attended St. John's church regularly, founding the Knights of Columbus and twice serving as Grand Knight, and serving on the School Board for St. John's School and on the Parish Council. In 1986, the Salinas Valley Fair's auction was dedicated to him after decades of service in the auction ring and as a 4-H leader. The award write-up stated that it was safe to say that Joe had bought more animals at the Fair than any other person. Long after he stopped attending, he would still listen to the auction on the radio and make notes about the prices. He and Patricia also received a Blue Ribbon Award from the Western Fairs Association in recognition of their dedication and volunteerism. In addition, Joe served as the manager of many men's and women's softball teams, preaching the virtue of the drag bunt to all who would listen.

Joe enjoyed the outdoors and spent countless hours camping and helping his children water ski on Lake Nacimiento. He also was an avid hunter and one of his "big bucks" was featured in the King City Rustler in 1965. Later in life, Joe traveled with Pat, other family members, and the Silver Kings and Queens, visiting Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, New York, Chicago, and Alaska, and taking a cruise down the Mississippi River. One of the family's favorite pictures is of Joe parasailing off the coast of Hawaii at the age of 82 with a grin plastered across his face.

Joe's family will remember him most for the intense love they felt from him and for him. When you talked to Joe, you felt like you were the only person in the room. His twinkly eyes always gave you the impression that a) he loved you and b) he might be up to something mischievous. He and Pat had an open door policy in which they welcomed all family and friends to share a home cooked meal and countless people enjoyed lively conversation and card playing around their table. Joe was a father figure to his own family, as well as countless others who he mentored through 4-H, sports, the church, or work. In retirement, he took long morning walks around town and people came to expect and enjoy his smile and casual conversation on his route.

Joe is predeceased by his wife, Patricia Layous; son, Rudy Segobia; parents, John and Catherine Layous; and brothers and sisters-in-law Laurent and Anita Layous and Marcel and Vivienne Layous. He is survived by his children, Joe Layous, Paul (Barbara) Layous, Kate Diaz, Mark (Elizabeth) Layous, Louise Paulsen, Jean (Stan) Fiorentino, and Maria Segobia; his sister-in-law, Barbara Sargenti; 12 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren (and counting), and numerous nieces and nephews.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

A Combined recitation of the Rosary and celebration of the Mass will be held on Saturday, January 4 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in King City

A reception will be held at St. John's Hall immediately following the service

Donations in Joe's memory may be made to St. John's Catholic Church, 502 N. Third St., King City, CA 93930, or to a favorite charity

The family would like to thank the countless friends and family who visited Joe throughout the last few years and the staff at Eden Valley Memorial for their care and love.