John Anthony Suraco, 55, died suddenly of a heart attack on July 22. 2025 inside his home in Butte, MT.
John was born in Panorama City, CA on May 16, 1970 to his loving parents Brenda Barfield (Hall-Suraco) and Ernest “Andy” Suraco. He was the first born child and only son but later was given a little sister named Andrea Suraco in 1974.
He had a rich childhood full of fun and love. In elementary he played baseball, basketball, soccer, took piano lessons and competed in figure roller skating. He loved skateboarding, bicycling, swimming, video games, fishing and hunting. He did target shooting with his dad starting at age 5 and got his hunting license and shot his first deer at age 12. He was Christian and loved going to church. In school he was gifted at math and loved to read. He attended Fontana Christian School from K-12. He then attended SB Valley College for 1 year, then he moved to Wyoming to work in the oil fields with his uncle John to make some good money.
That’s where he met and married Roanna Brown in 1995. Not only was he lucky enough to marry a beautiful woman, he was also fortunate enough to become an immediate father to Roanna’s four beautiful children, whom he thought of as his own from the very beginning, and they too always thought of him as their dad. John and Roanna took no time at all to add more children to their family, a beautiful baby girl and then a little boy two years later, who they named after John. John and Roanna divorced after seventeen years of marriage but still remained on good terms up until Johns passing. He also had another beautiful baby girl in 2013.
John was a family man. Being a father came very natural to him. He took pride in knowing he was able to provide for his family and still had time to make the best memories with all of his kids doing all the things he grew up doing. Hunting, fishing, camping, skiing and folfing to name a few. He was also a cub scout leader for a few years and impacted a lot of young lives.
Things were not always easy financially, but he always found a way. His work ethic was phenomenal. He worked at a tire and front end mechanic for ten years. He then decided to switch his trade to carpentry. He started an apprenticeship with the Carpenters Union Local #112. He was a journeyman carpenter for 20 plus years and was very good at it. He was well known for his skill and how hard of a worker he was. In 2013 he met the love of his life Sonnie Holm, whom he remained with until his death. He was a very devoted husband and loved her very much. He was an amazing person, father, mentor, provider, nurturer and hard worker. He was well loved and respected by many.
John was preceded in death by his dad, Ernest “Andy” Suraco, his uncle John Suraco, uncle Kenny “Ax Man” Cron, cousin Johnny “Jackman” Suraco, his grandmother Geraldine Maryland Hall-Martinez, and grandpa John Gunter Hall.
John is survived by his wife Sonnie Holm and mother Brenda Barfield, his children; Miles, Sierra, Whitney, Alonzo, Brianna, Johnny and Wynter Rae, his grandchildren; Lucas, Miles Jr., Cassius Marcela, Kade, Kloud, Riley, Oaklynde, Peyton and Christopher.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care John and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of John.
Alta Boggs says
He was a very nice man. And a great father to his kids. I know they will all miss him greatly.
Louis Salminen says
John was always my work buddy out of town on union carpentry jobs and we always worked well together. I will miss him until I see him again and I have not one bad word to say about Johnny boy except thank you for all your lessons in life and Meghan and I will never forget your funny ass jokes bro . You will be missed