Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
John Leslie Reich, 79, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He will be remembered for his kind heart, devotion to his family and friends and the love of a good time and a good cigar.
John was born August 29, 1946, in Martinez, California, to Richard and Mary Reich. He grew up in Woodland, California where he graduated from Woodland High School. He attended Sacramento City College and Golden State University before joining the Navy in 1967, where he spent time in Pensacola, Florida, and later in the Philippines. He then returned to California and served in the Naval Reserves.
In 1971, John moved to Stockton, California, to start his family and got his first job in the insurance world with Don Marlette. John was a successful businessman and a rockstar in the insurance industry for 50 years, operating John Reich Insurance Agency for several decades.
John loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He especially loved fly fishing, duck hunting and watching a Labrador retrieve birds. He also loved a motorcycle ride and spending the day on the boat. John headed up a very athletic family and always kept them involved in sports. Quite the athlete himself, he enjoyed fast pitch softball, tennis, snow skiing, water skiing and most of all golf with the boys.
John’s motto was “work hard, play hard” and he lived exactly that way. He traveled the world drinking the finest wine and living life to its fullest, never holding back. John especially cherished the family travel throughout the years with annual trips to Cabo with kids and grandkids, annual ski trips and going way back to the days of houseboat week at Don Pedro.
John was blessed with the best partners throughout life. He was married to Jennifer Lunt (sons Jeff and Jason), Cynthia Linnton (daughter Brittnea) and Elizabeth Ingham. A few years after Elizabeth passed away, the lord brought Diane Dykema into John’s life. Diane spent the last 11 years with John, greatly influenced his quality of life and is truly a gift from God.
John loved Palm Desert and in 2005 he joined The Lakes Country Club and made it his home. He had always been blessed with the best of friends and The Lakes Country Club unlocked the opportunity to add many more.
John is survived by life partner Diane Dykema, two sons Jeff Reich (Amy) and Jason Reich (Veronica), daughter Brittnea Murray (Brett) and five grandchildren Brook, Holly, Isaac, Ellis & Ruxton John, niece Jennifer Fraize (Jeff) and grand-nephew Brian Martinez. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Mary, brother Mike Reich and wife Elizabeth Ingham.
John will be deeply missed by all who crossed his path. A message from John to all his grandchildren: Guess What?…Papa Loves you!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to charity of your choice.
A celebration of life for John will take place on November 21, 2026, at The Lakes Country Club in Palm Desert, California. All are welcome to attend.
