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Mario Zarate Obituary
November 25, 1969 - July 29, 2024
In loving memory of Mario, we are saddened to announce his passing on
July 29, 2024. He was 54 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Julie Zarate of Stockton. Devoted father of Mason and Julia, and fur baby, Cooper. Dear sisters Celia Antonia Zarate, Cyndi (Bob) Duboise, and Vinci (Ron) Rishwain, and will be forever loved by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and good friends.
After graduating from Lodi Academy Mario attended Sac State. His enthusiasm with cars may have started with Hot Wheels coupled with his love for NASCAR, though, that lead him to work in the automotive industry for over 25 years. His deteriorating health was the pivotal point of a career change filled with uncertainty yet incredible potential. Soon thereafter, Mario completed technology training with the Department of Rehabilitation which prepared him for the opportunity to work for Sonder Solutions.
On any given day you spoke with him you would often hear him declare his personal motto, "I was made for this." As he embraced these new lifestyle changes, his next steps were getting involved in the blind community. It would become his passion. In overcoming his challenges while helping others, he found his purpose. He took great pride in attending local meetings and fundraisers supporting the blind community of Stockton. He was a member of the Stockton Blind Alliance, Stockton-San Joaquin Lions Club and San Joaquin County Chapter, National Federation of the Blind. He left a lasting impression on the hearts of everyone he met.
Mario is preceded in death by his parents Domingo and Virgina Zarate. There will be a burial at sea in the summer of 2025 where he will be reunited with his father in Avila Beach, California.
Memorial service will be held at Casa Bonita, 2500 Cemetery Lane, Stockton, on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow for friends and family in the Great Room at The Well, 1200 North Center Street, Stockton. We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry, and to remember our baby brother who will be greatly missed.
In lieu of floral tributes his family asks that you remember him through donations in his name to:
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
https://nfb.org/contribute/give
7 Entries
Alec Ugale
August 23, 2024
My first memory that comes to mind of Mario, was a trip back to the house. He decided to show us the incredible talent and time he´s put into automotives. He showed us he´s beautiful display of talent by driving us backwards a couple blocks all the way to the house.
Janet Ugale
August 12, 2024
Janet Ugale
August 11, 2024
Mario would make us all chicken tacos, and he made the best chicken tacos.
He loved to feed my boys, his nephews. I would make the Spanish rice and Joshua would make guacamole, and we would all grub..
Mario always tried to teach me his secret, but honestly no one made them as good as Mario .
Mario made it look so easy, BUT when I tried to make them at home, my kitchen was a mess . We would all get together for any occasion just to make memories.
We made our best memories on holidays with great food and conversation. As we all would sit around the table and listen to Mario's work stories and his jokes.
Mario defiantly had his own sense of humor, but time to time it really made you laugh with his jokes and sense of humor. When Mario would laugh it was contagious, because his whole being was in his laugh and just made me laugh more.
Food, smiles and comfort of family are our memories that will remain in our hearts forever. Life was never perfect for us all, there were many challenges, BUT we were always there for one another anytime day or night.
Mario I will honor you by making memories with Julie, Julia, and Mason Zarate.
We will continue our yearly trips, and cherish the last three trips that you pushed through your challenges and came along.
These were to Bass Lake where we all had a great family dinner at a really nice restaurant, and then the following year to Burney Falls where you and I sat listening to the water fall while waiting for the others to complete their hike, and the last trip was to Arnold and we all rented a party boat and went to New Melones Lake and you were out DJ playing my old school songs, and talking about the past memories.
Mario will always be in our heart with the great memories we all created.
With Love
Janet, Aaron, Alec, Joshua and Jeremy Ugale
Jennifer Gass
August 11, 2024
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Jennifer Gass
August 11, 2024
Jennifer Gass
August 11, 2024
Jennifer Gass
August 11, 2024
although I only had the chance to know Mario a little less than two years, he was such a caring soul and put so much of his strength and concern into our friendship and those he developed with others in our groups. Mario was such a good friend to us, so motivating, entertaining, strong and caring for his friends and family. He will be missed very much by our blind community. My prayers are with the Zarate Family and all of Mario`s friends.
We are so saddened by the loss, but gained such a blessing by knowing Mario through Stockton Blind Alliance, our San Joaquin County Chapter National Federation of the Blind and most recently in our Stockton San Joaquin Lions Club. We will continue to move forward holding Mario`s memory in our hearts and hoping to make him proud. Condolences to Mario`s family during this difficult time. May God be with you all and give you His perfect peace that passes all understanding as you remember good times and thoughts you have shared and comfort one another. Mario loved his family and always spoke so highly of you all.
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