Antonio Mendoza

On April 5, 2011, God called Antonio (Tony) Mendoza home to be with his family and friends who had gone before him. Tony was one of seven children born in Merced, California to Teofilio Mendoza and Ursula Zaragoza. After moving to Visalia, he met and married Elena Nava. They were married for 62 years and had three daughters: Frances, Ramona, and Rachel. After serving as an Army Corporal during WWII as an AAA Gun Crewman, he returned to Visalia and worked as a farm hand picking fruit. He later joined Kabo-Karr Construction Company and was employed there until he retired in 1978 due to a work injury. The backyard of the family home is filled with his fruit trees and garden plants. Grandpa Tony loved the outdoors and working in the yard. He enjoyed tending and grafting his trees. He had a green thumb when it came to his vegetable and flower gardens. Tony was always ready to share his experience and knowledge about gardening and was a believer in composting. He always had a project going like his worm farm and still had time for curing olives, fishing, and bowling. Tony was famous for his great tasting olives and his menudo parties. He would have an early morning party for friends and family and a lunchtime party for nieces, nephews, and younger friends. And the children always knew where to find Grandpa Tony's stash of sweet treats. In later years when he was housebound, Miss Dallas was his constant companion. He took pleasure in feeding the hummingbirds and watching the birds at the backyard bird feeders. If he was on the front porch, you could see him watering the plants and grass. You would always hear him laugh when someone ran up on the curb in front of the house. He enjoyed visiting with family members and friends. If you came to visit and he was inside, you would more than likely find an old western playing on the television. He has now taken his last ride into the sunset. When we see the stars in the sky, think of each of them as a porch light of a family member or friend shining in the night to welcome him home. Tony is survived by daughters Ramona Mendoza and Rachel Mendoza-Lane, grandson Louis Lane, sister Nicola Flynn, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Elena, daughter Frances Mendoza, son-in-law Lou Lane, siblings Chana Amesquita, Joventino Mendoza, Rosendo Mendoza, Dionisio Mendoza, and Ramon Mendoza. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 15, 2011, 10:00 a.m. at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Condolences can be sent to info@salseranddillard.com