Frank and Lupe Donate

Frank and Lupe Donate

Ventura, CA

Frank Alvara Donate and Lupe Alarcon Donate went home peacefully to our Lord after battling long illnesses, on December 30 and December 23 respectively.

Lupe was born to Abel and Encarnacion Alarcon on April 23, 1926 in Fabens, Texas. Her family moved to Ventura County in 1938 where she attended Barbara Webster School in Santa Paula. She is survived by her sister Anita Ramirez (Joe).

Lupe was a devoted wife and mother. She volunteered at Sacred Heart Church in the early to mid 1990s.

Frank was born to Bernardino and Martina Donate on October 10, 1925 at the Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula. He is survived by his sister Margie Dodson, and his brother Edward Donate (Gloria).

Frank was a veteran of WWII serving with the 1689th Engineering Battalion from 1944-1946. He was a recipient of various citations including the Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus. Frank apprenticed with Sattlers Upholstery in Ventura and eventually opened Donate's Upholstery in Oxnard in 1960. He retired in 1991 passing on the family business to sons David and Anthony.

Frank and Lupe first met in grade school and remained friends, even when life took them on different paths. Eventually circumstances brought them together, Lupe with her children Yolanda and Anthony; Frank with his children Frank Jr., Rita and Barbara. They married in 1957 and were later blessed with three more children, David, Christine and Dylan. They were married 58 years sharing life, and an enduring love. They could never be apart from one another for very long.

They made their home in Oxnard, later moving to and finally settling in Ventura.

Together they raised their family and left a legacy of love and faith.

They are survived by their eight children, Yolanda Soto, Frank Donate Jr., Barbara Torres (Tom), David Donate (Lorry) of Ventura; Rita Stout (David), Anthony Soto of Oxnard, Christine Peters (Bob) of Nipomo, Dylan Donate (Glennda) of Thousand Oaks, 28 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank and Lupe were preceded in death by grandson Kevin Luna, a casualty of the Iraq War in 2005.

We love you Mom, Dad, Grandma, Nana, Grandpa. You will always be in our hearts. We cherish the many memories our family has made throughout the years.

Visitation and rosary will be on Sunday January 10 at 3:00pm at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home 757 E. Main St., Ventura. Mass will be celebrated on Monday January 11 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Church 10800 Henderson Rd., Ventura.