Benjamin Gamino & Julia Ojeda Ochoa

BENJAMIN GAMINO OCHOA
September 1, 1926 - November 17, 2020

Benjamin Gamino Ochoa passed away November 17, 2020 at the age of 94 years in Pomona, California.

JULIA OJEDA OCHOA
July 30, 1926 - July 24, 2021

Julia Ojeda Ochoa passed away on July 24, 2021 at the age of 94 years in Pomona, California.

Ben was born September 1, 1926 to Blas Ochoa and Juana Gamino Ochoa. Julia was born July 30, 1926 to Jose Ojeda and Juliana Orozco Ojeda. Ben and Julia were married on August 31, 1949.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Blas and Juana Ochoa, step-mother, Bernardina
"Nina" Ochoa, four siblings: Lupe, Nefty, Blas, and Rachel. Ben is survived by ten siblings: Lily, Elly, Priscilla, Sam, David, John, Becky, Tim, Steve, and Debbie and their families.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, Jose & Juliana Ojeda, and five siblings: Rosa, Socorro, Gregorio, Efren, and Frank.

Ben and Julia raised two sons, Benjamin Jr., and Richard. Benjamin Jr. preceded his parents in death.

Ben and Julia are survived by their son, Richard; their daughter-in-law, Toni Ochoa; their grandchildren, Joshua, Christopher, Natalie, Sarah, and Michael; their great grandchildren, Mikayla, Kyle Benjamin, Regan, and Olive.

Throughout their lives, Ben and Julia gave love to, and received love from, many Ojeda and Ochoa nephews/nieces and their families who survive them.

Ben graduated from Riverside Poly High School (Riverside, California) in 1943 and attended Mt. San Antonio College (1946-1947, and again in the 1960s and 1970s) where he specialized in Business Management. Julia graduated from Pomona High School in 1943.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, Ben served in the Asiatic-Pacific during WW II and returned to duty during the Korean Conflict.

Throughout their lives, Ben and Julia were a solid team. Ben may have held public leadership positions and titles, while Julia always described herself as a housewife. Still, no one who knew them believed that Julia was just a stay-at-home wife and mother. Not at all, Julia was a rock and firm foundation for Ben and her children. Julia was Ben's partner in all matters-business and personal. We who survive Julia like to say that her word and decision were final, and that was always just fine with Ben.

On Monday, April 23, 1972, Ben was given the Oath of Office and welcomed onto the Pomona City Council. He was an early pioneer in Pomona Valley politics who would see many Latinos follow in his footsteps to elected office in Pomona, around the Pomona Valley, and beyond. Ben served two terms on the Pomona City Council before declining to seek higher office.

Prior to Ben's election to Pomona's City Council, he served on the Pomona Human Relations Commission and the Pomona Parks & Recreation Commission. He served on the Board of Directors of Leroy's Boy's Home in La Verne; President of the Pomona American Little League-Connie Mack Baseball; and Garey High School's Booster Club. Ben was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Grove St. Bible Church; and member of the Board of Directors of the TriCity (La Verne, Claremont, and Pomona) Mental Health Association.

Ben proudly served as the Pomona Chairman of the campaign for the successful election of U.S. Congressman Jim Lloyd; he was awarded many honors for his public contributions on behalf of the communities and interests he and Julia supported throughout their lives.

In 1974, Ben was presented with the General Telephone Company Good Citizenship Award by President Parker Sullivan, who praised Ben (and Julia) for his "significant voluntary contributions toward improving the quality of government and life in his community." Ben, a construction administrator with General Telephone, was chosen for this award from a field of 40 nominees.

Remembrances of Ben and Julia are legion among their family and friends. We remember Ben, the Sunday School teacher and pioneer who, along with his father (Blas), stepmother (Nina), and sister (Lily), established one of the first Latino ministry churches in Pomona Valley. On December 18, 1949, the Iglesia Christina Fundamental Church was dedicated.

As a young boy of nine, Ben suggested to his father that he might want to meet a young Sunday School teacher named Bernardina (Nina). Since the death of his own mother, Ben felt that his father needed a wife and partner in life. Ben and his siblings also needed a mother figure in their lives and, according to Ben, Nina would be a perfect Mom. Blas and Nina married and, together, had 10 more children. (We, Nina's children, sincerely thank Ben for having initiated this introduction between our parents!)

Among many of Ben's talents was his great facility with mathematics. He simply loved everything related to mathematics. He was a self-taught carpenter, plumber, and barber. He was always repairing and fixing things for neighbors and family. Few of Ben's younger siblings were nearly as talented as was he with machinery, cars, and appliances!

Julia loved animals and had great affection for her poodle, "Bobo." She had only to call Bobo and, no matter where he was, he always ran to Julia and quickly jumped into her arms-both were so happy with each other.

A great cook, Julia's signature dish was Chili Rellenos with hamburger and cheese. Oh, so delicious!

Whenever Julia would visit Blas and Nina's home on Virginia Avenue (which was at least several times each week), she would walk into the house and yell out, "Nina! It's me!" to announce her presence. There were never any doors for Julia in our family!

Julia had a very funny side and was somewhat of a jokester as well. Once, when she found Ben asleep in his recliner, which was located in the room addition Ben had built for his family, Julia decided to paint Ben's toe nails with her favorite color nail polish. Ben was not amused…

We cherish the memory of Ben and Julia coming to our home on Virginia Avenue after Friday night football games in which our brothers, Sam and David, played. We celebrated the victories (more often than not) and losses together over coffee. Ben and Julia always brought donuts.

We recall the fun Julia had in driving herself and our youngest sister, Debbie, to choir practice at our church. They both enjoyed giving the poor Choir Director a "hard" time! Lovingly, of course, and always in fun.

In the early 1950s, Julia and Nina would drive to Chino to pick sweet potatoes and walnuts. Nina would bring her very young son, John, along and, while the ladies were working, he'd enjoy the avena that Nina or Julia had made for him. Julia knew the money she earned with Nina would come in handy for their families. She was never afraid of hard work. Julia and Nina formed a strong bond during those days; they were good times for both of them.

Our sister, Lily, also recalls Ben and Julia's generosity because they graciously purchased Lily's high school class ring when she graduated from Pomona High School in 1952. Lily has always been grateful to her brother and sister-in-law for the kindness and love they both showed her all her life.

The stories of Ben and Julia's lives together could fill many volumes. The many stories not written here will remain in our memory for us to cherish forever.

Good Night, Ben. Good Night, Julia. We will see you in the morning…

Ben and Julia were interred at Pomona Valley Memorial Park, Pomona, California. Ben was interred with military honors.