George Mendoza

George Rodriguez Mendoza
Visitation will begin at 5:00pm with a Vigil with Rosary to follow at 7 pm, Friday, January 29, 2015 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel for George Rodriguez Mendoza, 92, who passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2016. A funeral mass is scheduled for 8 am, Saturday, January 30, 2016 at St. Peters Catholic Church with Father Charlie Martinez officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. After the burial the family would like to invite everyone in attendance to a reception at St. Peters for coffee and cake.

George was born May 23, 1923 in Roswell, NM to Francisco Gomez Mendoza and Lonjina Rodriguez Mendoza who preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his wife Miquela "Mickey" Gomez Mendoza, three brothers, one sister and granddaughter Jennifor Mendoza.

Those left to cherish his memory are his sons George Mendoza Jr. and wife Susan of El Paso, TX, Richard "Rickey" Charles Mendoza and wife Patricia of Brea, CA; daughter Christinia Marie Mendoza of Los Lunas, NM; four grandchildren George Mendoza III, Michele l Benson, Greg Mendoza-Fresquez and Rickey Mendoza and three great grandchildren Adam Penix, Taylor Mendoza and Kacie Mendoza.

George was a lifelong resident of Roswell, NM. From an early age he was a member of St. John's Catholic Church and participated in the Knights of Columbus until about 1955. George was also a past member of St. Peters Catholic Church. Mr. Mendoza deeply loved the joy of his life, his wife Miquela "Mickey" Gomez Mendoza. The two were married on September 28, 1944 in San Patricio NM when he was 21 years old. Together they raised their three children George Jr., Rickey, and Christina and the two spent a blessed 39 years of marriage together until her passing in 1983. Mickey has always remained the love and passion of George's life.

While working on the Mendoza Ranch George became a member of NM Cattle Growers Association in the 1970's. He used Angus cattle to teach his now very successful children about understanding the value of investing money wisely. The children worked hard for their cattle which was used to help pay for their college tuition. Mr. Mendoza was a man of strength and honest integrity who was self made by choosing to work hard and never accepting mediocrity or compromising on quality. These were just some of the values that he bestowed to his children teaching them that anything less than perfection would not be acceptable. As the owner of the Mendoza Café, between San Patricio and Glencoe on Highway 70, he set standards on everything. Plates of food that were not served correctly would be redone; as the lead supervisor at Glovers meat packing any product that did not meet his standard would have to be repackaged before leaving for the stores; quality was paramount. As a mentor to his children one thing he would ask them, regarding how they planned to achieve their goals was, "What's the next step, how are you going to get there?" From running ranches, operating restaurants, or managing his many rent houses this question was the bases for success.

George was the template for "the most interesting man in the world". One word to describe him and his style was debonair. He was a craftsman and skilled in wood working. He could create amazing pieces and building was his forte. During World War II he worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers building the barracks at Walker Air Force Base. Last year at the age of 92 George qualified and won gold at the Senior Olympics as the billiards player champion. George had many passions but one of his favorite past times was working in his garden and caring for his plants. The feel of the soil, the smell of the rain the apples and the wind on his back brought him great satisfaction.

During Easter time St. John's Catholic Church put together a special service and production called "The Passion Play". George had the honor of portraying Jesus Christ; however, he also had a hand in much of the set design and production. Using his intuitive mind he constructed the rock at the tomb, made from a material called Masonite, and by touching the tomb rock the Masonite vanished with a flash from the overhead lights and a thunderous clash of lighting (produced by his son George Jr standing off stage with a sheet of tin). The cross was painstakingly built by George and even the crown of thorns was reproduced in rich detail. The final touch was a strategically placed sweat band so when the roman solider placed the crown atop his head the sweat band began to drip cows blood. This unexpected touch of realism amazed and surprised the audience bringing real surrealism to the moment.

Donations for charity can be made to Shriner's Hospital at www.loveshriners.org or mailed to Shriner's Hospital, P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV, 25438.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, January 29, 2016
5:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Rosary

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, January 29, 2016
7:00 pm

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, January 30, 2016
8:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

The Shriners Hospital for Children
PO Box 1525
Ranson, WA  25438