Jose Mendoza

Jose (Simon) H. Mendoza passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Jose was born to Jorge and Luz (Hinojos) Mendoza on August 20, 1933 in Presidio, Texas. He was the oldest of three children.
Jose moved from Presidio to Pecos, TX with his parents then later moved to Artesia, NM where as a youth he lived, worked and learned to drive work trucks on a ranch and was a very hard worker. He also found time to play baseball for an Artesia team. Jose was known as "El Trompo" de los bailes and in 1951 while at a Christmas dance he met a girl that he danced the night away with. Her name was Maria Del Refugio "Cuca" Ponce. They fell in love and three short months later Maria and Jose were married on March 19,1952. They had ten children and their marriage lasted 64 beautiful years. The Lord had truly blessed Jose and Maria.

Jose grew up showing great respect for his parents and others. He was known as a very responsible man and was very well respected by his family, friends, coworkers and community. One day a man came up to one of his sons and told him of a story where many years ago, while working with Jose, a stack of boxes fell on this man's chest. The boxes were very heavy and he could not breathe and felt he was not going to make it. Jose took out his knife, began cutting the plastic that held the boxes together then one by one took the boxes off his coworker's chest where he could breathe then called for help. This man said he will always remember the day Jose saved his life. Jose worked many years for Universal Appliance Company in Artesia then transferred to Roswell where he worked until the company closed. He then worked for Southwest Distributing for 17 years, then later working for RISD until retirement. He was also a self-taught carpenter, mechanic and appliance repairman. He also loved hunting, fishing and music which he passed down to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jose always had a great sense of humor and his favorite color was maroon.

Jose was a devout Catholic who dedicated his life to God. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, a member of the 3rd Order of St Francis and The Holy Name Society in Artesia, NM. Upon moving to Roswell with his family he then became a member of St. John's Catholic Church where his dedication to God continued. While attending St. John's, Jose and Gregorio Dominguez began the first Spanish choir where he sang and played the guitar for many years. The Spanish choir still continues to this day. For Jose his faith and service to God always came first. He never missed a day of mass unless he was very ill and to his last days was telling everyone he needed to go to mass. Jose was a testament of God's work, was a good man to his family and all who knew him.
Jose has been preceded in death by his parents Jorge and Luz (Hinojos) Mendoza, his brother in law Manuel Calderon, his niece Elpidia (Pilley) Calderon, his nephew Wilfredo Mendoza and his great grandson Demarcus Julian Mendoza.

Jose is survived by his brother Manuel (Olivia) Mendoza and his sister Magdalena "Nena" Calderon. Jose is also survived by his wife Maria Del Refugio "Cuca" Mendoza; his sons Joe P. (Irene) Mendoza, Adam (Andra) Mendoza, David (Charlotte) Mendoza and Michael Mendoza. His daughters Evangelina "Vangie" (Richard) Quintero, Gloria (Bill) Hoff, Alicia Segovia, Amalia "Amy" Donovan, Rachael (Jayson) Pratt, Melinda Mendoza. His Grandchildren are Jennifer (Mike) Aviles, Martin Quintero, Andrew (Christina) Quintero, Veronica (Richard) Lucero, Becky (Mike) Holstun, Fabian (Emma) Quintero, Greg (Robin) Hoff, Patricia (Micah) Carruth, Stephanie Hoff- Smith, Joe W. (Marizol) Mendoza, Stephen (Luchia) Mendoza, Marlena Mendoza, Julian (Megan) Mendoza, Matthew Mendoza, Christa (Charles) Koglin, Marcos (Latonya) Weimer, Sara (Ernie) Linares, Eric (Christa) Weimer, Jason Osburn, Megan Donovan, Jarred (Jade) Donovan, Rueben Mendoza, Maria Mendoza, Danielle Mendoza, Dominic Mendoza, Alessandra Mendoza, Israel Mendoza, Paul Mendoza, Ashley Pratt, Robert (Crystal) Perez, Melissa (David) Martinez, Humberto Perez Jr., Nizhoni Mendoza and Olivia Mendoza; 66 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Andrew Quintero, Fabian Quintero, Joe W Mendoza, Stephen Mendoza, Julian Mendoza, Marcos Weimer, Eric Weimer, Jason Osburn, Jarred Donovan, Robert Perez, Humberto Perez Jr, Dominic Mendoza. Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Martin Quintero, Greg Hoff, Matthew Mendoza, Rueben Mendoza, Paul Mendoza and Israel Mendoza.
The Mendoza Family would like to thank all of their family and friends for their prayers, love and support, phone calls, food and visits during this difficult time. Especially Wayne and Maggie Darough, Manuel and Olivia Mendoza, The Calderon Family, Ramona Velasquez, Lina Padilla, Grace Najar, The Joy Center, Encompass, Katrina and staff from Gentiva, Dr. Karimian, Kymera Cancer Center and Blacita Herrera, Julian Mendoza and Joe P. Mendoza for the church music.
A Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 7 pm. The funeral mass will take place on Friday, August 26, 2016 at 1 pm. Both services will be held at St John's Catholic Church 500 S. Lincoln Roswell, NM then will be laid to rest at South Park Cemetery with a reception immediately following at the Father Juan Montoya Building, 500 S. Lincoln Roswell, NM. Viewing is scheduled from 10 to 7 pm, Wednesday, August 24, 2016 and 9 to 5 pm, Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Ballard Funeral Home.

Jose was truly a blessing and a miracle to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

God's Garden
God looked around his Garden
And He found an empty place
He looked down upon this earth
And saw your tired face
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest
Gods garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, "Peace be thine"
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
In Memory of Jose H. (Simon) Mendoza

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
10:00 to 7:00 pm

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, August 25, 2016
9:00 to 5:00 pm

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, August 25, 2016
7:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, August 26, 2016
1:00 pm

Cemetery

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