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John Paul Sarkisian Biography: Early Life, Career & Ties To Cher & Georgia Holt

John Paul Sarkisian

The story of John Paul Sarkisian is mostly shadowed by the fame of his daughter, Cher, all over the world; however, his story deserves to be known. John’s life is not without challenges. He has been struggling with his Armenian-American roots, employment, and family life.

In this article, we are going to have a closer look at his early life, career, marriage to Georgia Holt and his complicated relations with his daughter, Cher. Continue reading to learn about the man in question and his role in the family’s history. 

John Paul Sarkisian: An Introduction   

John Paul Sarkisian was an Armenian-American.  His identity was tied closely to his heritage and family. 

He became well known mostly because he was the father of Cher, yet he had a long way to go and a difficult journey ahead.  

John Paul Sarkisian Bio At A Glance 

Field  Detail
Full Name John Paul Sarkisian 
Born  23 March 1926 
Died  28 January 1985 
Nationality  American
Ethnicity  Armenian-American 
Parents  Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian (Father) 

 Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian (Mother) 

Spouse  Georgia Holt (born Jackie Jean Crouch) 
Child  Cherilyn Sarkisian & Georganne LaPiere 
Grave Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, California 

Early Life & Family Background 

He was born on 23 March 1926 in Oakland, California. John Paul Sarkisian parents are Siranousch “Blanche” Dilkian (mother) and Ghiragos “George” Sarkisian (father). They were Armenian immigrants. 

Growing up in a working-class immigrant family during the Great Depression made him strong. It also showed him how hard it can be to fit into the American community.

Where Does The Name ‘Sarkisian’ Come From? 

The Sarkisian surname is of Armenian lineage. Sarkis is a widely used name among the Armenians, and the suffix  -ian or -yan means ‘descendant of’. 

Thus, Sarkisian refers to the heirs of Sarkis, and it is an ancient name that has been inherited in the Armenian families. 

John Paul Career Ventures 

What was John Paul Sarkisian’s profession? Throughout his life, he managed to do various manual labor jobs, such as: truck driver, bartender, auto mechanic, hairdresser, and even tried horse breeding. He was mostly known as a truck driver.  

How did John Paul make his money? Those various jobs and small business ventures brought him income. His father purchased him five trucks to begin a hauling company; however, the business was not very successful in the long run.

He never became wealthy. His income appeared to be relatively low, and a number of his attempts were inconsistent because of personal and legal problems in his later life.  

Marriage To Georgia Holt & Family Life

In 1945, John Paul Sarkisian married Georgia Holt (born Jackie Jean Crouch). Georgia Holt was a model and an American singer-songwriter. 

Their marriage was brief as they parted ways in about 1947. After a 20-year separation, they remarried in 1965. 

The question on the table is: Are Sark and his wife still together? No. They divorced once more in 1966 at the time of John’s death.  

John Paul Sarkisian’s Children

He had two daughters: Cherilyn Sarkisian and Georganne LaPiere.  

Cherilyn Sarkisian, AKA Cher, was born in 1946 and became one of the celebrated entertainers worldwide. Throughout her decades-long career, she has won Grammys, Emmys, and Academy Awards.

His younger daughter Georganne LaPiere, also followed an entertainment career. She made a career as an actress and became known in TV and stage performances. 

Relationship With Cher & Personal Struggles

Cher never met her father until the age of 11. That brief reunion would not last long. Their relationship was cold and unfriendly. 

John Paul was an addict, a gambler, a legal troublemaker, and financially unstable. These problems complicated his work and family life. 

John Paul Sarkisian’s Legacy 

During his old age, John Paul spent the major part of his life in the shadows. On 28 January 1985, he died in Fresno, California. At the time of his demise, he was 58 years old. The reason for his death was not announced.  

Where Is John Paul Sarkisian’s Grave? 

John Paul Sarkisian is buried in his grave at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno County, California. 

To a great extent, he is remembered nowadays due to the popularity of Cher. His Armenian roots contribute to part of Cher’s identity.  

In Summary

John Paul Sarkisian was a man of cultural background and family fame. His life was not an easy one. The memory of John is preserved by his connection with Cher and Georgia Holt.

He was neither a famous nor a wealthy man. His life narrative is a testimony to how difficult family backgrounds can influence legendary lives.

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