Victor C. Montes

1926 - 2017

Victor C. Montes
12/24/1926-6/18/2017

Victor Montes was born on December 24, 1926, in Alameda County, California. He passed away on June 18, 2017, in Placer County, California at the age of 90.
Vic was the second eldest son of Victor and Nativida Montes. He was orphaned at the age of 11, when his mother succumbed to tuberculosis in San Francisco. He was raised from that point on in Loomis, California, in the foster home of Gertrude Griffin. Mrs. Griffin kept the six Montes children, ages 6 - 12 years at the time they entered her care, together for the entirety of their childhood. Vic spent many happy years on her ranch, working hard and learning skills and responsibilities that would benefit him throughout his life. Vic made Loomis his home for his entire life.
In addition to working on the Griffin ranch, Vic helped at the ranches of their Japanese neighbors during the World War II Internment. During the years that followed, he served in the US Navy, owned and operated Montes Trucking, and worked at Aerojet. He played an instrumental role in the early years of the Rocklin Loomis Municipal Utility District, which later became the South Placer Municipal Utility District, from which he retired as General Manager.
Vic was preceded in death by his parents, foster mother, and brothers, Nicky Montes and Richard Montes. He is survived by his other siblings, Adeline Micheletti, Hector Montes, and Carmen Van Zandt. He is also survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Margaret Montes, his stepsons Jim Mehl (Ruth) and Steve Mehl (Debbie), and his son David Montes (Lynn), as well as his grandchildren, Hillary Mehl, Heather Mehl, Spencer Montes, and Payton Montes, and his great- grandchildren, Matilda Meding and Berne Hamilton.
Vic will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Newcastle Cemetery in Newcastle, California. A Celebration of Life, open to all of his family, friends and acquaintances, will be held and noticed at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospice at 2700 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95833. Vic's family extends their deepest thanks to AIM, hospice and the caring employees of Sierra Ridge Memory Care in Auburn.
Vic had a rich and wonderful life, characterized by a never-ending optimism, a love of hard work, and empathy and kindness for his fellow man. He was one of those rare human beings that to know him was to love him. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.