After a long courageous battle with cancer, Jon passed away peacefully on December 13, 2017, at the age of 60. He was born on February 5, 1957 in San Francisco, California, to Albert and Jennifer Dibblee. Jon was a lifelong resident of Merced and longtime Merced High School history teacher and aquatics coach.

In 1981 Jon became a firefighter for Merced City Fire Department. After being hurt on the job and retiring in 1987, Jon returned to college earning a degree in history and obtaining his teaching credential, thus beginning his “second” career as teacher and “Coach” at Merced High School.

Jon is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 35 years, Cindie, son Alex and his other “adopted son” Joel Specht, mother in-law Audrey Noya, sister in-law and brother in-law Margie and Jim Briggs, nephews Jamie and Bret Briggs, and his great niece and nephew, Jenna and Trenton Briggs. He is further survived by many cousins and close friends. Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Jennifer, his sister Jendy Brusca and father in-law, Roland Noya.

The outpouring of love and support from the community, Merced High School family and ex-students, the water polo family and ex-players and our many friends who have become family, is truly humbling. We would like to extend our gratitude and love to Bruce Davis and Sudesh Prasad of Bristol Hospice and special love and thanks to Dr. Parminder Sidhu and all of “Jon’s Angels” at the Mercy UC Davis Cancer Center for their innumerable hours of exceptional care and loving, compassionate support.

Jon was loved by many and will remain in our hearts forever.