Carlos Mendoza

Carlos Mendoza was a remarkable man, a selfless, sacrificing son, a beloved husband, father and Godfather, uncle and a friend to so many. He was a man who devoted his whole life to the people around him, a man as generous as he was genuine, as brave as he was beloved. Carlos had a heart so much bigger than life, a heart he shared with all who knew him.

Carlos’s story began on a cool fall day in 1950, in the little town of Donna, Texas, just north of the Mexican border, near the Rio Grande and the Gulf of Mexico. Those were turbulent times in this country, which saw the start of the Korean War, the escalation of the Cold War, and the development of the hydrogen bomb. Yet on November 4, 1950, Cresenciano and Zenaida (Castillo) Mendoza found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of their first born son, Carlos.

Carlos was the third of the couple’s nine children, joining Primativa, Felicitas, Delia, Rosa (who died at the young age of one year and ten months), Antonio, Norma, Rosa, and Eduardo. Carlos’s family were hardworking migrants, working in Donna during the winters and following the seasonal crops throughout the United States from Florida to Montana. All the children helped their family in the fields, Carlos included, and he developed a great work ethic and loyalty to his family by toiling alongside them as a boy.

In the early 60's, the family decided to stay in Michigan, settling in the lovely little town of Mattawan. Carlos began attending Lawton Schools in 1969, and was part of the Migrant Head Start program, too. He was a very bright young man, though, and did well in school.

By the time he was old enough for high school, Carlos had grown into a strong young man, and played football for in Mattawan. He was a very popular student, and saved enough to buy a beautiful black 1963 Ford Falcon, a souped-up hotrod that all his friends loved. Carlos was very mechanical by nature, and loved digging in under the hood to make the Falcon fly even faster.

In the summer of 1969, Carlos fell in love with a beautiful young classmate at Lawton, a girl named Elizabeth Chesteriene Teall, who was a year behind him in school. They quickly became high school sweethearts, and beginning a lifelong love affair.

Carlos graduated from Lawton High in 1971, which was an enormously proud moment for his parents, as he was the first of their children to do so. He then went off to college, as a Law Enforcement major. When he finished his degree, he was offered a position with the Michigan State Police at a post in Detroit, but Carlos respectfully declined. His family needed him more than the state police did, looking to him for financial help and also advice, so he returned to Lawton. That was Carlos, though; always thinking of others before himself.

Back home once again, Carlos began helping his father on their new grape farm, formed a great father-son partnership that drew the two even closer. Being able to help his parents financially meant everything to Carlos, as it kept them in Michigan full-time, as they no longer needed to migrate, and he was able to give them the permanent home they always dreamed of.

Soon, he and Elizabeth would have a home — and a family — of their own. The longtime couple tied the knot on June 4, 1977, at St. Mary’s Church in Paw Paw, beginning so many wonderful years together.

The newlyweds stayed right there in Lawton, buying the farmhouse from his parents, where they would raise their family, and where Carlos would live the rest of his days. The couple was blessed with three beautiful children over the years, Barbara Jean, Joseph William and Angelina Joell, with a fourth child, a baby girl named Jessica Mae, who sadly died as an infant on December 27, 1998.

Carlos was a wonderful father, who worked very hard to provide for his whole family. In addition to helping his father on the grape farm, he went to work for Welch’s, where he remained for the next 27 years.

Carlos loved his community, as well, and also volunteered at the Lawton Fire Department for many years, serving as a 1st Assistant Chief, as well as volunteering with the Thompson Quick Response, 1 st Medical Responder at Welch's, and Search & Rescue teams. He was a very beloved member of the community as a result, and everyone knew him as “Uncle Carlos.”

Carlos was far from all work and no play, however. He and his family went camping all over taking young nieces and nephews, and he and Elizabeth had a very active social calendar, as well. They had a great group of friends, their so-called “potluck group,” including David and Margaret Cornish, Bob and Debbie Lawson, Jim and Nancy McCorry, Gerry and Debbie Ireland, Phil and E.J. McAndrews, Tom and Linda Verberg, Bruce Snyder and Sue Snyder.

Everyone loved Carlos, though, the good-natured jokester who loved playing pranks and helping those in need. He was such a big-hearted man, who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Carlos also enjoyed time to himself, too, and loved hopping on his beloved Goldwing motorcycle, and heading out East for long tours. He enjoyed tinkering with his bike, and his barn was littered with spare parts and pieces, a true mechanic at heart.

Carlos was so many things at heart, a heart so much bigger than his body, and a heart he shared with all those around him. Sadly, in 2003, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the side-effect of pesticide exposure in the grape fields in 1969. He battled the disease bravely, but he eventually had to retire from Welch’s, as his health slowly declined.

Sadly, Carlos died at 9:51 PM on Sunday, March 2, 2008, at the age of 57.

Carlos was such a wonderful man, a selfless, sacrificing son, a beloved husband, father and Godfather, uncle and a friend to so many. He devoted his whole life to helping the people close to him, from his family to his community. Carlos was as generous as he was genuine, as brave as he was beloved, and a man with a heart so much bigger than his body. Carlos's final selfless act was to donate to Gift of Life. Today his heart lives on in all who knew him. He will be so greatly missed.

Learn more about Carlos, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends on Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson 60900 M-40 – Paw Paw, 657-3870 where services will be held Saturday 5:00 PM. Following the service, food and fellowship will be shared at the Lawton Fire Hall.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Jessica Mae on December 27, 1998 and by his father, Cresenciano Mendoza, and an infant sister, Rosa Maria. Surviving are his mother Zenaida Mendoza; his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth (Teall); three children: Barbara Jean, Joseph William and Angelina Joell; three Goddaughters: Brittni Roy, Kasey Benavides and Andrea Mendoza; seven siblings: Primita (Margarito) Guerra, Felicitas (Ramon) Veraza, Delia (Rogelio) Salinas, Antonio Mendoza (Dawn Mendoza), Norma Gilberto) Benavides, Rosa (James) Dietz, and Edwardo Mendoza (Pat Weigel); and many nieces and nephews. Please visit Carlos’ personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a memory or photo, sign his memory book or make a memorial contribution to the Mendoza Children Education Fund c/o 5/3 Bank, Lawton.

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Carlos Mendoza era un hombre notable, un hijo generoso y sacrificante, un esposo querido, padre de familia, abuelo, padrino y un gran amigo para muchos. El era un hombre que devoto toda su vida a toda la gente alredor de el. Carlos era un hombre generoso, verdadero, y valiente como era amado. Carlos tenía un corazón mucho más grande que la vida, un corazón que compartía con todos los que lo conocían.

La historia de Carlos empezó en un día fresco en el otoño de 1950, en el pueblito de Donna, Tejas, al norte de la frontera de Méjico, cerca del Río Grande y el Golfo de Méjico. Esos días eran tiempos de turbulento en nuestro país, que vio el comienzo de la Guerra Fría, y el de la bomba. Pero el día 4 de Noviembre, 1950, Cresenciano y Zenaida (Castillo) Mendoza tenían razón por celebra, con el nacimiento de su primer hijo, Carlos.

Carlos era su tercer hijo de nacer de nueve hijos que tuvieron esta pareja. Los hijos eran Primativa, Felicitas, Delia, Rosa (que falleció muy temprano a la edad de un año y diez meses), Antonio, Norma, Rosa, y Eduardo. La familia de Carlos era una familia migrante y era muy trabajadora. Trabajaban en las cocechas en Donna durante lois inviernos and seguian las cocechas por los estados unidos de Floida hata Montana. Todos los niños trabajaban en las labores, Carlos incluido, y el desarrollo un gran valor al trabajo, y era loyalty a su familia, trabajando a lado de ellos cuando era joven.

Temprano en los 60s, la familia decidio quedarse en Michigan, estableciéndose en el hermoso pueblito de Mattawan Carlos empezo asistiendo la escuela de Lawton en 1969, y era parte del programa de Migrant Head Start, tambien. El era un joven ilustre y salió adelante en la escuela.

Para el tiempo que llego a la escuela secundaria, Carlos era un joven fuerte, y jugaba football por la escuela de Mattawan. El era un estudiante popular. Carlos logro suficiente dinero para comprar un hermosa carro negro, era un 1963 Ford Falcon, era un carro caliente que todos sus amigos adoraban. Carlos era una persona muy mecánica y le gustaba estar debajo de la capota para hacer su coche Falcón volar mas recio.

En el verano de 1969, Carlos se enamoro con una hermosa joven condisupulo en la escuela de Lawton, era una joven llamada Elizabeth Chesteriene Teall, que estaba un ano atrás de el en la escuela. Muy pronto se hicieron novios, y empezo un amor por todas sus vidas.

Carlos se grado de la escuela de Lawton en 1971, que era un gran momento para sus padres, porque el era el primero de sus hijos que logro hacerlo. Después se fue al colegio, tomando el curso de Law Enforcement. Cuando recibio su diploma, le ofecieron una posicion con la Policía del Estado de Michigan, en un puesto en Detroit, pero Carlos, muy respetosamente declino. Su familia lo necesitaba mas que la policía del estado lo necesitaba, mirandolo a el por asistencia financiera y tambien por consejos, tal vez el se regreso a Lawton. Asi era Carlos, siempre pensando de otros en lugar de si mismo.

En casa de nuevo, Carlos empezo ayudando a su padre en su nueva rancho de uvas. Ellos formaron una gran asociación de padre y hijo que los reunio a los dos mas fuerte. Ayudando a sus padres con sus financias era todo para Carlos, y tal vez los hizo permanecer en Michigan todo el tiempo, ya que no tenian que ser migrantes y tenian una casa propia como siempre desiaban.

Pronto el y Elizabeth tenian su propia casa – y una familia- de si mismo. La pareja amarró el listón el 4 de Junio, 1977, en la parroquia de Santa Maria, en Paw Paw, empezando juntos muchos año maravillosos.

Los recien casados se quedaron en Lawton, comprando the casa de sus padres, donde la pareja crió su familia, y donde Carlos viviria por toda su vida. La pareja fue bendecida con tres hijos hermosos: Barbara Jean, Joseph William y Angelina Joell, y la cuarta hijita, Jessica Mae, lamentable, fallecio en su ninez, el 27 de diciembre, 1998.

Carlos era un gran padre, que trabajo duro para mantener toda su familia. En adicion no nomas trabajo ayudando su padre en la granja de uvas, pero fue a trabajar en la compania de Welch’s, donde se quedo por los proximos 27 años.

Carlos adoraba su comunidad, tambien, y era voluntario por el Departamento de Bomberos de Lawton por muchos años, como Primer Asistante al Capitan, y tambien era voluntario con Thompson’s Quick Response, Primer Respondiente en Welch’s, y el Equipo de Search y Rescue. Tal vez, era un miembro de la comunidad muy adorado, y todos lo que lo conocian, lo llamaban Tio Carlos.

Carlos estaba muy lejos de siempre trabajar y no jugar. El y su familia iban al campo por todos lugares, llevando sus sobrinos y sobrinas, y el y Elizabeth tenian un calendario activo y lleno. Tenian un gran grupo de amistades, su grupo de “cena compartida” que incluia a David y Margaret Cornish, Bob y Debbie Lawson, Jim y Nancy McCorry, Gerry y Debbie Ireland, Phil y E.J. McAndrews, Tom y Linda Verberg, Bruce Snyder y Sue Snyder.

Todos adoraban a Carlos, aunque, era un buen bromista que le gustaba bromiar, el siempre ayudaba a todos que necesitaban ayuda. El era un hombre con un gran corazon, que le daba su camisa de su espalda a cualquier que la necesitaba.

Carlos tambien disfrutaba tiempo a solas, y le gustaba montar su adorada motociecleta Goldwing, y salir a este por largos viajes. Le gustaba remendar su bicycleta, y el granero tenia pedazos de partes alreador, un verdadero mechanico en su corazon.

Carlos era muchas cosas en corazon, un corazon mas grande que su cuerpo, y un corazon que el compartia con los que lo alrededor haban. Tistesamente, en 2003, fue diagnosticado con la enfermedad de Parkinson, un efecto de las medicinas que ponían en las labores de uva en 1969. El pelio la enfermedad con todo lo que tenia, pero al fin se retiro de la compania de Welch’s y su salud declino lentamente.

Tristemente, Carlos fallecio a las 9:51 p.m., el Domingo, 2 de Marzo, a la edad de 57 años.

Carlos Mendoza era un hombre notable, un hijo generoso y sacrificante, un esposo querido, padre de familia, abuelo, padrino y un gran amigo para muchos. El era un hombre que devoto toda su vida a toda la gente alredor de el, desde su familia a su comunidad. Carlos era un hombre generoso, verdadero, y valiente como era amado. Carlos tenía un corazón mucho más grande que la vida. Carlos hizo una acta final, la acta de donar el Regalo de Vida. Hoy su corazon vive en todos que lo concian. El fallecimiento de Carlos es un gran fracaso.

Aprenda mas de Carlos, mirando la pelicula de Life Story, y visite con su familia y amigos el Viernes, de 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. en el Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson 60900 M-40 – Paw Paw, 657-3870 donde tienen su servicio el Sabado, a las 5:00 p.m. Despues del servicio, estan invitados a compartir con la familia en Lawton Fire Hall.

Carlos fue precedido en su fallecimiento con su hijita, Jessica Mae en Diciembre 27, 1998 y su padre, Cresenciano Mendoza, y una hermanita Rosa Maria. Sobreviviendo es su madre, Zenaida Mendoza; su esposa de 30 años, Elizabeth (Teall); tres hijos, Barbara Jean, Joseph William y Angelina Joell; tres ahijadas: Brittni Roy, Kasey Benavides y Andrea Mendoza; siete hermanos: Primita (Margarito) Guerra, Felicitas (Ramon) Veraza, Delia (Rogelio) Sallinas, Antonio Mendoza (Dawn) Mendoza), Norma (Gilberto) Benavides, Rosa (James) Dietz, y Edwardo Mendoza (Pat Weigel); y muchos sobrinos y sobrinas. Por favor visite la pagina de web personal en www.lifestorynet.com, donde puede compartir una memoria o foto, firme su libro de memoria o haga una contribucion memorial a Mendoza Children Education Fund, c/o 5/3 Bank, en Lawton.