Surrounded by his family, Aberdeen resident of nearly 65 years, John Mendoza, 75, died at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Aberdeen, Tuesday, December 18, 2012. John was born in Portland, Oregon, April 15, 1937, the son of Juan and Margerita (Garcia) Mendoza. He came with his family to the Harbor and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1956. He had excelled in track and football during high school.
John worked as an auto mechanic for Bigelow Chevrolet later in 1956 for the next 21 years. He then worked for Cross Town Motors for a short while before working as a heavy equipment mechanic for the Port of Grays Harbor. He retired in 1981.
He married Carole Ambrose in Aberdeen April 14, 1956.
For over 50 years he was associated with Grays Harbor baseball as a player, coach, umpire and mentor. He was inducted into the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame, July 15, 1994.
After his retirement he spent a lot of time woodworking, making things for his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed fishing and garage-saling, oft times striking up conversations with strangers that would last for hours.
Besides his wife of 56 years, Carole, at the family home in South Aberdeen, John is survived by 5 sons: Johnny, Hoquiam, Ronnie, Aberdeen, Jose, Rathdrum, ID, Francisco and wife Yvette, Park City, UT and Michael, Rochester; 4 daughters: Susie Eissler with Bob VanOgle, Aberdeen, Cindy Gutierrez, Aurora, CO, Melissa and husband Joe Wolfe, Aberdeen and Cristina and husband Bryan Steuermann, Aberdeen; a sister: Juanita Bishop, Portland, OR; and also 15 grandchildren: Jinny and husband Jason Marchand, Bette, Roberto, Joey, Karissa, John Jr., Justin, Adam, Kimberly, Jordan, Branden, Kevin, Austin, Sierra and Mason; and 2 great grandchildren: Arika and Kyliann. John was preceded in death by three brothers: Tony, Carlos and Alberto Mendoza; a sister: Guadalupe Decker; and a grandson: Bryson Mendoza.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 22nd at the Chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home. Pastor Ray Robinette of the New Beginnings Open Bible Church will officiate. A fellowship reception will follow at the Rotary Log Pavilion, Aberdeen.
A card of condolence with a message may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Washington Army National Guard
Weatherwax High School Bobcats
The insignias listed here may be subject to copyright and / or trademarked. Those copyrights and trademarks are owned by the respective organizations. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Mendoza, please visit our flower store.
John worked as an auto mechanic for Bigelow Chevrolet later in 1956 for the next 21 years. He then worked for Cross Town Motors for a short while before working as a heavy equipment mechanic for the Port of Grays Harbor. He retired in 1981.
He married Carole Ambrose in Aberdeen April 14, 1956.
For over 50 years he was associated with Grays Harbor baseball as a player, coach, umpire and mentor. He was inducted into the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame, July 15, 1994.
After his retirement he spent a lot of time woodworking, making things for his kids and grandkids. He also enjoyed fishing and garage-saling, oft times striking up conversations with strangers that would last for hours.
Besides his wife of 56 years, Carole, at the family home in South Aberdeen, John is survived by 5 sons: Johnny, Hoquiam, Ronnie, Aberdeen, Jose, Rathdrum, ID, Francisco and wife Yvette, Park City, UT and Michael, Rochester; 4 daughters: Susie Eissler with Bob VanOgle, Aberdeen, Cindy Gutierrez, Aurora, CO, Melissa and husband Joe Wolfe, Aberdeen and Cristina and husband Bryan Steuermann, Aberdeen; a sister: Juanita Bishop, Portland, OR; and also 15 grandchildren: Jinny and husband Jason Marchand, Bette, Roberto, Joey, Karissa, John Jr., Justin, Adam, Kimberly, Jordan, Branden, Kevin, Austin, Sierra and Mason; and 2 great grandchildren: Arika and Kyliann. John was preceded in death by three brothers: Tony, Carlos and Alberto Mendoza; a sister: Guadalupe Decker; and a grandson: Bryson Mendoza.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 22nd at the Chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home. Pastor Ray Robinette of the New Beginnings Open Bible Church will officiate. A fellowship reception will follow at the Rotary Log Pavilion, Aberdeen.
A card of condolence with a message may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Washington Army National Guard
Weatherwax High School Bobcats
The insignias listed here may be subject to copyright and / or trademarked. Those copyrights and trademarks are owned by the respective organizations. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Mendoza, please visit our flower store.
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