Joel Thayer PerishoMay 4, 1948 - Feb. 18, 2017 Joel Thayer Perisho was born on May 4, 1948 in Oskalooska, Iowa (Go Hawks!) to Lester and Jacqueline Perisho. He passed away peacefully but unexpectedly at home on February 18, 2017. During his childhood, his father's career took the family to Le Sueur, Minnesota; Huron, South Dakota; and Moraga, California before they finally settled in Whittier, California just in time for Joel to start high school. He enjoyed a very successful basketball career at Sierra High School, the highlight of which was serving as the captain of the underdog Spartan team which won the CIF Southern California championship in 1966, against all odds. His success on the court earned him a basketball scholarship to UOP, where he made many life-long friends. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Lois Kragness, and enrolled at McGeorge School of Law. He began his career as an attorney in the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office before establishing a private practice with John Harris in 1980. Their partnership would last for 34 years - a special number for Joel, as he proudly wore the number 34 while playing basketball for UOP. Over the years, the Perishos and Harrises grew to love each other like family. Joel officially retired in 2014, but continued to be involved in the Stockton legal community while working for local attorney Armando Villapudua on a part-time basis. Most people knew that Joel bled Dodger Blue, and he reveled in trading barbs with his many Giants-fan friends over the years. He was also a die-hard University of Iowa football fan and was able to cajole many of his friends into rooting for the Hawkeyes and even accompanying him to games in Iowa City. But more than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his ever-growing family; the light of his life. He coached all three of his children in basketball from fourth grade to high school and was involved in YMCA Indian Guides. Lately, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren's various sporting and school events. Joel truly was one-of-a-kind and will be remembered for his integrity, honesty and sharp sense of humor. He had a tremendous effect on both the legal community and his extended network of friends and family. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Joel is survived by Lois, his beloved wife of 46 years, his children Jason (Carola), Megan (Matt) and Joshua (Jennifer), his grandchildren Catalina, Paige, Matias, Sean, Hailey, Colby and Chloe, his brother Jerry (Christa), and his nephews Daniel, Brian and Stephen. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center on the UOP campus. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear Iowa Hawkeyes apparel or casual black and yellow attire. In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Joel's name to the St. Mary's Dining Room at 545 W. Sonora Street, Stockton CA 95203 (stmarysdiningroom.org).