John Owen Womach

John Owen Womach was born in Spokane, Washington on December 24, 1945, the son of John Ferris and June Ellen Womach. He grew up in a loving, tightly knit family alongside his three younger siblings, Cheary Womach, Pam Smith of Spokane, and Tim Womach. He met Joan Marie DeFontaine while both were in school in St. Louis, and they married on December 26, 1970. Together they raised two sons, Kurt Matthew Womach of Austin, Texas and Justin Andrew Womach of Morgan Hill, California. John is also survived by six grandchildren: Christian Parker of Redwood City, California, Kayla and Zachary Womach, children of Kurt and his wife Lisa, and Owen, Payton, and Grace Womach, children of Justin and his wife Nina.

After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and attending medical school at Saint Louis University, John completed his ob/gyn training at the University of California, Davis Hospital. For forty years he practiced in the Sacramento area, where he delivered thousands of babies and took special joy in later years delivering the children of mothers he had brought into the world. He found deep fulfillment in his work and maintained warm friendships with colleagues, enjoying regular retirement lunches with them over the past decade.

Love of family remained John’s highest priority. Despite a demanding career, he was present for school events, soccer games, birthdays, and family picnics. He cherished the outdoors and created countless memories hiking and boating with family and friends, particularly around Lake Almanor. Annual July 4th fireworks viewed from the lake and the festive return to the dock at night were highlights the entire family treasured.

John enjoyed sports both as a participant and spectator, playing racquetball in his younger years and golf throughout much of his life. He also earned a private pilot license with his father around age twenty and for several years owned a plane, embarking on memorable family adventures, including a flight to Missouri and back. A deeply spiritual man, he devoted many hours in retirement to Bible study, theological reading, prayer, and reflection, which brought him comfort during his later health challenges. He passed away on March 4, 2026.