John H. Serati

john h. serati

John H. Serati, 56, Fargo passed away October 18, 2010 at Sanford Hospital following a courageously fought battle with cancer.

John was born August 5, 1954 in St. Louis Missouri to John and Theresa Serati. He attended school in St. Louis graduating from Lindberg High School. Following High School, he attended the University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri and continued to be a Tiger supporter until his death. He was a member of the Beta Gamma Chapter of The Kappa Sigma Fraternity in college. His fraternity brothers were his lifelong friends.

John met his wife Janis during his time in Columbia. They married May 19, 1979.

During college, John worked for a Taco Bell franchisee and following college, was given the opportunity to become part of that franchise organization. John and Janis moved to Fargo in 1979 and John made his career developing and running the Taco Bell restaurants in the state. His greatest joys in the business were his employees, customers and the many people he met through his work. John was passionate about his work and all who knew him felt that passion.

John loved to fish and his trips to South America, fishing the tributaries of the Amazon for unusual species were highlights of his life.  He loved taking summer fishing trips to Canada with his sons, and was also an avid member of the FM Walleyes organization. 

John loved politics. He served the North Dakota Republican Party as a District Chairman, and the Cass County United Republicans as Treasurer. John was also past president of the Rough Rider Kiwanis club. 

Boys and Girls Clubs of America was a National Charity supported by Taco Bell. John was an avid supporter of the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Clubs, always assisting the club when asked.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Janis, sons Tony, West Fargo, Nick, Fargo, brother, Mark, St. Louis, sister, Barbara (John), St. Louis, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley Youth commission, 2500 18th St S, Fargo ND 58103.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Forestville CATo Janis, my dear long-time friend, please accept my deepest sympathies. I remember when you started dating John, though we called him Chops back then. I wish you and your sons well as you follow your paths into the future.

  2. Fargo ND
    Janis,

    My condolences to you and your family I always enjoyed our conversations on life, business and politics. I will miss John’s laugh his sense of humor never knowing if he was serious or not. Your in our thoughts and prayers may his memory live on. God Bless

  3. Lake Park MN
    Serati Family-

    I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Working as a teenager for many years at Taco Bell on South University he instilled the value of customer service and getting the job done properly and efficiently. I have carried those values into my adult years. That laugh will never be forgotten.

    Know that prayers and strength are being sent your way.

  4. Green Bay WisconsinJohn:

    You will truly be missed by many. I looked forward to your e-mails and your humor – they always brought a smile to my face even on the toughest of days.

  5. Janis,
    My condolences to you and your family. I loved working with John when I was at the ND
    GOP. He truly had a larger-than-life personality! May he rest now. God bless.

    Lynelle

  6. Janis, Tony, and Nick –

    John was such a delight – it is a priviledge to have met him. We will never forget seeing Tony and him side-by-side at the TKE house their laughter was contagious. We are praying for sunshine in your days ahead.

    Derek and Nina Wentz

  7. Belleville IllinoisWords can not express our sadness and compassion we have for your family. Eddie was one of a kind and one of my dearest friends.
    God bless you all.
    Tom and The Spiritual Advisor

  8. Tony, I am so sorry for your loss of your dad. He added great energy everywhere is was and I hope that you can keep all the good memories of your time together forever. My Dad died many years ago, but when I am on the lake in Canada, his spirit is still there.

  9. Jamestown MOJanis,
    I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I didn’t get the privilege of knowing him well due to the miles between us. After reading the other guestbook comments, I feel like I know him better and realize what a wonderful husband, father, and friend he was. I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. My prayers go out for you and your family during this time.
    Deana

  10. John was a great man with a truly infectious laugh. He was a wonderful public servant and I have always been very appreciative of his willingness to talk, whether about politics, business or telling a joke, he was always willing to lend me an ear.

    John was one of my major supporters when I was considering running for State House, and helped me find the confidence to push forward. I’m truly grateful for all that he gave not only to me, but to others around him. We didn’t just lose a great leader in the Republican Party, we lost a great man.

    He will most certainly be missed by all that knew him.

  11. Rapid City South DakotaDear Janis, Tony and Nick,

    Janis, Peg H. informed me by personal facebook message about John. I am so shocked and sorry to hear about all this. Please accept Mark’s and my deepest sympathies. I have though so much about you and your family over the years. You and I were pregnant together at the same time when we worked at MeritCare together, you with Nick, me with Kayla. Your kids are now all grown, they would not ever remember me but please tell them how sorry I am as well in the loss of their Dad. I cannot imagine your pain. Miss you and love goes out to you Janis.

    Connie and Mark Lundgren

  12. Arden Hills MN
    Janis, I am so sorry to hear about John. I have such great memories of our time in Jaycees years ago. He was a good man. My prayers are with you and the boys.

  13. We will dearly miss John’s sense of humor, passion for politics, and great input on his stock selections for our investment club. His infectious laughter will be greatly missed.

  14. FARGO ND
    OUR COMMUNITY IS GRIEVING WITH YOU. I WAS UP WAY TOO EARLY THIS MORNING AND LOOKED UP AT THE MOON. IT WAS FULL AND ROBUST AND BURSTING WITH BRIGHTNESS. I SMILED AND THOUGHT OF JOHN RIGHT AWAY. HIS MARK HAS BEEN LEFT ON ALL OF US. OUR PRAYERS WILL CONTINUE. MAY THEY BRING YOU PEACE AND STRENGTH AND COMFORT.
    KATHLEEN WRIGLEY

  15. Fargo North Dakota
    Your family is in our prayers. I will always remember joking with John when he came to Seasons. Good sense of humor. We also appreciated your friendship with Neil, when he was at your house or when he worked for Taco Bell. God Bless

  16. Daytona Beach FloridaJohn made a lasting impression on me at a very young age in my career. I often think of him when I tell people of why I have been in the food service industry my entire life. John gave me my first opportunity in management at Taco Bell and was a great influence in my life. Thinking of the family in my prayers and thoughts.

    Dan, Stacy and Steve McDonald

  17. Fargo North Dakota
    Janis and Family

    John was a great friend. He always had some advice for me. I will never forget him, especially when times get tough.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Tom Fischer

  18. new albany indianaJohn will be dearly missed by the Taco Bell Franchise Family. He was a Mentor and a great Role Model to many people. We will keep the Family in our prayer’s.

    God Bless, Clint & Debbie Smith

  19. John you always made us laugh. You were such a great friend and person to work with. I still have my purple Taco Bell NASCAR you gave me over4 years ago. We will miss you very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with Janis and the family.

    Your friends at Williams/Crawford

  20. Arnold MissouriJohn,

    I love you and will always love you! I will miss you very much. I wish we could have spent more time together.

    Love Sis!

  21. New JerseyMy deepest condolences to John’s family. I only got to see John at various Taco Bell meetings, but always enjoyed our brief time together. He was an extremely friendly man and a great restaurant operator. He has not only my respect but the respect of the entire Taco Bell system.

  22. St. Louis MissouriDear Janis, Tony and Nick,

    My sympathy in your time of such a great loss. Of course I will miss him dearly as well. The memories from our childhood on will be cherished and some of the most vibrant in my life. John has always been a unique and respected person in my life. I look forward to seeing you all in Fargo.