SGT. John "Johnny" Miranda Aguinaga

AGUINAGA, SGT John Miranda, “Johnny”, passed away at the age of 71 years on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. He was born on August 1, 1951 in Bakersfield, CA to Jesse Aguinaga and Tabitha Miranda. He attended Mt. Vernon Elementary School and Sierra Jr. High School. He was a graduate of East Bakersfield High School in 1969 where he ran cross country and enjoyed boxing. After graduation, Johnny enlisted to serve his country in Vietnam. He was proud to serve his country as a United States Air Force and United States Army National Guard Veteran. He served in Vietnam (USAF), Operation Nobel Eagle, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with B CO 3-160th INFANTRY (M) and ARMY/NGUS 1114th TC. SGT Aguinaga received for his service: The Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization, Completed Service in Kuwait/Iraq 20061125-20070711, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver/Mechanic – Wheeled Vehicle. Johnny embodied a soldier’s mindset of service and sacrifice. He was willing to lay down his life for his fellow man and woman. After Vietnam, using his military trained skills as a mechanic, he returned home to raise a family and worked as a mechanic. He owned and operated his own small businesses: “Veteran’s Automotive Service,” “Veteran’s Auto Service,” “Veteran’s 24Hr Road Service,” “Veteran’s Auto Dismantling and Smog Shop,” and “Veteran’s Mobile Recycling.” He enjoyed buying project cars, fixing them up and reselling alongside his junkyard dogs. He enjoyed visiting people, spreading his humor, and making a great deal. He always talked about owning his own ranch one day, where all his grandkids could run free with all the horses, cows, goats, chickens and dogs he would own. It was his dream. Johnny had a soft spot for stray dogs. He would often adopt and rescue them and then name them, “Raggedy Mutt,” or “Junkyard Dog.” The irony is that the “true” junkyard dog in his life was the Holy Spirit that adopted and rescued him. The Holy Spirit adopted him as a little boy, back when he went to church with his grandma Nieves at the Delano Apostolic Church. The Holy Spirit, like a dog, accompanied him, never left him, but pursued, surrounded, guarded, and protected him throughout his years in war and civilian life. The Holy Spirit would nip at his heels when going astray, and when off the path, like a hound dog, seek him out and sometimes knock him down, but only with the intention to slow him down to refocus on Jesus. In the end, until his final breath, the “Junkyard Dog” aka Holy Spirit was there, standing at his side as a service dog, loyal, gracefully and mercifully guiding him home. He is preceded in death by his parents Jesse Aguinaga Sr. and Tabitha Velasquez. He is survived by his siblings: Christy and husband Desi Vega, Sarah and husband Benjamin Velenzuela Jr, Rita and husband Ruben Felix, Laura Sosa, and Jesse Jr.; his ex-wife and forever friend: Alice Kach; his children: Sons: Johnny Jr., Joseph and wife Deyanira, Jason and wife Rosemary; Daughters: Jennifer Ming and Jocelyn Aguinaga; his grandchildren: Jessica, Aubreann, Johnny III, Miranda, Janessa, Hannah, Chelsey, Allison, Eden, Jason, Belin, Abigail, Belle, Jacob, Jasmine and Jace; great-grandchildren: David Shellcross, and numerous aunts/uncles, cousins and nephews/nieces whom he loved dearly. Funeral Service will be held Monday, December 19th, 2022 at 10:00 AM-11:30 AM at the Apostolic Assembly Church, 519 Mt Vernon Ave. The Committal Service will be held at 12:30 PM–1:00 PM at Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA