John Mohmood Jawad

Pioneer Inn was my FAVORITE steakhouse. I would have my birthday dinner there every year. I was very sad when it closed. I heard that John Wayne dined there when he was in the Bay Area.

I had the pleasure of working with John in the title industry. He was a class act and a real gentleman! He was truly one of a kind and I cherish the time that we worked together. I can promise you that I will never forget him!!

John Jawad was a dear man and will be tremendously missed by myself and all of the St. Pierre family.
John was such a good friend to all of us and my father especially was so thankful to have John in his life.
My heart goes out to John's family and know that my dad has certainly welcomed him home in Heaven.

The Pioneer Inn was a part of a vanishing breed of restaurants. In 1962, before Jawad's ownership it was owned by Chubby Humbel (sp?) my parents loved to take us there for steak dinner and to see all the Moose, Elk and other animal heads on the wall in the bar and dining room. It was very Wild West like. One evening we were sitting outside on the patio enjoying dinner, when a fistfight erupted in the bar and spilled onto the patio. I was about 10 years old, and seeing a couple of drunks in cowboy clothes fighting was about as real a western as I'd ever seen before or since.

We will miss you John. Say hello to Phillip and have him sing your favorite song.

~ 

June St. Pierre,

Sonora, California

John ( Papa ) Jawad is my grandfather. I love and miss him! Words can't express how empty his family (blood) feels right now! The biggest regret we, that loved him most couldn't be there to comfort him in his final mins. I will always remember the pride in his eyes back at the Cow Palace in 2000 right before I rode my bull. Ride and score or buck off and get drilled, he was proud just the same. Thank u Papa for helping to make me the man I am today. I got to see u proud one last time when u met your great granddaughter Kendall Grace! Love and miss u! Respectfully, Jason J. Klein

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Jason Klein,

Ft. Worth, Texas

I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. I didn't know him very well. I met him as a child and my only personal memory is when I went to visit his Pioneer Inn (it must have been around 1976 or so). He had this Shish Kabob dish in his restaurant that they would bring out to the table still on fire. It was great!

My Mom and Dad were friends with John and were sad when he moved away from Clayton. I have heard nothing but nice things about him and truly wish I had the opportunity to re-meet him as an adult.

My condolences to his friends and family...

~ 

Derek Pizzagoni,

Clayton, California

I'll always miss you Papa!! And I'll always smile when I think of our conversations and how you always made me giggle!!!

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Kristin Klein,

Martinez, California

To the family of John Jawad. I will miss john "Pops" as he later gave me the honor to call him. John taught me how to work. I was a19 year old kid who needed to learn how to work as a man . John was tough but fair. He did not put up with my banging his dishes . John taught me his way one day and had me in tears but did not fire me he gave me a chance. John believed in me. I now run my own garden clean up. I worked two more restaurants after him and meet one of my best friends at one . Thank you John for the work ethic. I love you. Daniel Sullivan Dishwasher on and off 1982-1990

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Daniel Sullivan,

Clayton, California

Mr. John Jawad,

Thanks you for all the pleasant times we shared. You were a gentlemen in every form of the word. I am happy that you never retired.

Bill & Joyce Pisani