John Thomas Hambey

John Thomas Hambey was born to Thomas and Rita Hambey of Soledad on November 8, 1949. He passed away in Soledad on January 2, 2026.

John was born into a local ranching and cattle family which ran thick in his blood for generations. He lived for the old cowboy lifestyle and treasured his days out there on the ranches of his ancestors, checking troughs, feeding cattle, organizing the next branding or taking cattle to market. He would often talk fondly of his grandfather Thomas Hambey, Sr. John's grandfather founded the Hambey Feed Lot at the end of Bryant Canyon, which, in its heyday, fed between 18,000-25,000 cattle a year. Many locals fondly remember the cattle being herded up the streets by cowboys from the Front Street railroad depot to the feed lot. The Hambeys also owned and fostered multiple construction, lumber and hardware businesses in Soledad.

John's father Tom continued the family cattle and ranching traditions, which he dutifully passed down to his son – the way it was always done.

John recently slipped away to cowboy heaven after a period of illness, where he still managed to cowboy up and go for truck rides until the very end with his lifelong friend Willie Pantoja. John leaves behind a legacy of cowboying and ranching that others will carry forward in his honor.

John was predeceased by his grandparents, Thomas Hambey Sr., and Katherine Hambey, Warren and Hazel Erbe; his parents, Thomas and Rita Hambey; and his siblings, Pete, Ray, Bonnie and Howard Hambey. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Sandy Vosti.

The family would like to invite you to a Celebration of John's Life at the Braga Barn in Soledad on Friday, February 13, 2026 at High Noon.

In lieu of flowers, John would prefer that you make a tax-deductible donation to:

South County Animal Rescue, PO Box 491

Soledad, CA 93960

(501c3 Tax ID #81-2344689)

Or your favorite local charity.

Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · January 26, 2026