Modesto Joaquin Mondares, Jr., aka Jr., Mo or Mike, was born on September 27, 1960 at Naval Hospital, Subic Bay in Olongopo, Zambalas, Philippines to Alegria Joaquin Mondares and Modesto Quenano Mondares, Sr. While his father was serving in the United States Navy, the family moved to Coronado, California, during which time his younger brother, Jeffrey, younger sister, Marita Renee and youngest sister, Alesia, were born.
At the age of seven, the family transferred back to the Philippines where Jr. discovered his love of building models. Jet fighters, whether historical or contemporary, were his favorites. He would eventually build war ships and carriers, but his love was always aircrafts. Two years later, the family transferred to Ridgecrest, California, and after a couple more years, moved back to San Diego, California to settle.
It was in San Diego that Jr. thrived. At Montgomery Jr. High School, he was part of the tennis team and enjoyed playing volleyball as well as being in the chess club. He joined the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) at Mar Vista High School, becoming leader of the award-winning Drill Team and Color Guard. He also attended Montgomery High School where he would graduate in 1978.
After high school, Jr. entered into the United States Air Force and became an Air Cargo Specialist, during which he would receive the Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Overseas Ribbon. His last duty assignment was with the 616 APS (MAC) at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska when he was release from active duty with honors as Staff Sergeant in 1983.
Jr. continued to serve in the Reserves at March Air Force Base in California with the 37th MAPS, who “won big their first time out” in the Patriot Roadeo held in Niagara Falls, New York in 1986. Jr. won 2nd place in the individual competition close behind 1st. He retired with the 50th MAPS with honors as Technical Sergeant in 2001.
As a civilian, Jr. worked with Airborne Express, Pacer Logistics and a major airline at San Diego’s International Airport. He enjoyed anything and everything Alaska, collected GI Joes and guns, continued to build models, was a Trekker, a Star Wars fan and would watch war and western movies regularly.
Jr. passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 19, 2011. He is survived by his sister, Marita, niece Jenna and her husband, Marcos, brother, Jeffrey and his wife, Debbie, nephew, Anthony and niece, Alexis.
Service for Jr. is on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 11:00 am at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and he will be laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.
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