Eligio L. Agatep

Eligio (Alex) L. Agatep, 98 SAN MARCOS -- Eligio (Alex) L. Agatep passed away in his sleep, Thursday, October 21, 2010, at the Richland Manor Home in San Marcos. Known to his family and friends as Alex, he was born December 1, 1911 in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur Province, in the Philippine Islands. He was the son of Maximo Agatep and Reymunda Lopez Agatep. Alex left the Philippines on January 12, 1929, when he was just 17, aboard the Steamship President McKinley, and he arrived in San Francisco 25 days later on February 6, 1929. Alex lived briefly in Anaheim/ Fullerton area working in the citrus groves and vegetable fields, finally settling in Escondido in 1931. In 1934, Alex was a founding member of the Filipino Assemblies of the First Born Church with more than 14 affiliated churches in California and additional churches in Hawaii, the Philippines, and several other foreign countries. Alex served as Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, Presbyter, and spiritual mentor for 70+ years. In 1957, Alex and other members of the church built Escondido Calvary Assembly Chapel on the Northwest corner of Ohio Ave. and Cedar St. in Escondido. He continued to attend services, health permitting, until his passing. Alex met Myrtle C. Oien in 1936, and they married Nov. 25, 1938 in St. George, Utah. They lived in Escondido before moving to their dream house in the Coronado Hills area of San Marcos in 1969. Alex was Civil Service worker, serving as a warehouseman on Camp Pendleton for 26 years until retiring in August 1977. Alex and his wife, Myrtle, were strong supporters of youth, high school, and college sports in which their sons participated. Alex thoroughly enjoyed gardening and his fruit orchard, often delivering portions of his bountiful harvest to his neighbors, parishioners, and family. He frequently mailed fruit care packages to his grandchildren in Washington and to nieces in New Jersey. Alex is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Myrtle. He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Donald (Marcy) of Carlsbad, Douglas (Michelle) of Long Beach, and Gary (Chris) of Woodinville, Wash.; brother and sister-in-law, Palmer and Mary Jane Oien of Escondido; grandchildren, Scott (Brianne) Agatep, Ashley (Ken) Notthoff, Crissy (Matt) Castillo, Darcy (Eric) Cramer, Kelly (Brian) Carlson, Haley (Ed) Martinez, First Lt. Brett Agatep (USAF), Briana Agatep, Sean Agatep, Padraig Agatep; numerous nieces and nephews; and nine great-grandchildren. A private burial service will be held Friday, November 5 at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido. A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 6, at the Calvary Assembly Chapel, 950 Ohio Ave., Escondido. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Calvary Assembly Scholarship Funds. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com