Joseph Daniel (Dan) Mendoza

Joseph Daniel (Dan) Mendoza, loving Husband and Father, died at the age of 82 on November 14, 2016 in the company of his wife, Mary Frances (Miff) Mendoza, with whom he shared a life and partnership of over 56 years. He was also comforted by his children Danny, Tracey, Allison, and Erin who returned the loving devotion he gave them.

Dan, a dedicated educator and member of the community, taught generations of students at Lee College and retired with 50 years of service to the community and to the institution.

Born in 1934 in Wharton, Texas to Ysidro and Guadalupe Mendoza, he began his schooling in a two room, segregated schoolhouse for children of Mexican origin, where he presented a problem to the teachers because he began school with the ability to read in both Spanish and English. These years began a life-long love of and passion for language and literature.

Dan had lost both of his parents, his brothers Ysidro and Abel, and his sisters Josephine and Lupe, but he made sure his children and grandchildren knew the stories of his Mama in the kitchen and his Papa in the tailor shop.

Dan's surviving family includes his wife, Miff, and the families of their four children:

Danny and Mary Mendoza, their children and grandchildren, Jana Rosser, Alexis and David Shotorbani, Jaxon and Hannah Shotorbani.

Tracey and Mike Frank and ""the grands"" Kathleen Cuellar, Nicholas Cuellar, and Elissa Cuellar. Allison and Keith McNeil and their daughters Julianna and Emma.

Erin and Kevin Chapman and Kaylee Chapman.

He is also survived by his youngest sister Mary Dooley and her husband Tom and sister-in-law Rosalie Mendoza.

""Uncle Dan or Tio Dan"" is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces who considered him a bit of a crustacean, crusty on the outside and cushy on the inside.

For all the years he lived in Baytown, Dan was a faithful member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church where he coordinated the schedule and training of the parish lectors. Many of his happiest moments were spent in his participation in the Celebration of the Mass.

The family extends their invitation in the celebration of Dan's life with a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2016 followed by a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 17, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Edmund Eduarte officiating. Burial will follow at White Cemetery in Highlands.

Pallbearers will be Nicolas Y. Cuellar, Keith McNeil, Kevin Chapman, Michael Frank, Tim Dooley and Michael Turrin. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Dooley, Peter Turrin, Tommy Mendoza and Frank Lopez.

To view his online obituary, or post a tribute to his family, go to www.navarrefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.