Hey Pops, 
How do seven years pass without not being able to see you, talk to you, and hug and kiss you? I always think about our last hug and kiss goodbye. Luckily I  can still hold it clear in my mind. I replay it often so I can always cherish our time together. 
    It’s your birthday today. You would have been 68 earth years. Fortunately for you time doesn’t exist in heaven, so no aging. We bound to this earth-work have aged a lot during this pandemic. Please pray for our healing. We still have so much to learning and changing to complete. 
I look for your signs to guide me. I vow to keep on giving and trying to be better each day. 
I LOVE YOU! XOXO 
Natalie 

April 23, 1953, the world was blessed with Sam and we were blessed to call him dad and grandpa. I wish I could pick up the phone and hear your voice and laugh. If you were a phone call away, I'd call you bright and early, wake you up and in the words of dad say "I wanted to be the first one to wish you a Happy Birthday ". Then he'd sing the song in his deep voice. It would make us all feel special and make us smile. If I could have you back or so many do overs...that's the lesson I'm learning in all of this. When a person is gone we can't get them or time back. We miss you so much! 

No more birthdays on earth.  I could imagine that Heaven is the best place to celebrate,especially with your Ma. No more pain, loneliness or let downs...pure joy! That eases the pain because we all know there's no more suffering and you're in a wonderful place. 

We love you and miss you beyond tears or words but the memories of the beautiful man you were on earth gives us lots to talk, smile and laugh about. You were a simple man and you were the best. We are proud of the man you were here on earth but most of all how you treated people. You had a heart of gold and never held back sharing you heart. 

Happy Birthday Pops!

Love, Lori

I miss you dad! It's been almost 10 months since I last hugged you and I feel so cheated. I thought time would heal my broken heart, that it would get easier but it seems to hurt so much more. It makes me so sad and angry that I can't hear your voice. 

I thought about you all weekend while we were in Palm Springs and wondered why we never got to experience that aerial tram and explore the top with you. It was a beautiful place! All Andrew and I could think about was you. I'm sure you were there with us in spirit but if I could turn back time, we would have gone there with you. You were the best and I wish you were here just to hug you and hold on to your belly and listen to your voice. Oh how I miss my Pops! 

Well on a good note, Tomorrow is going to be a better day. I'm gonna cross off an item on your  wants and wishes list. You will be smiling in heaven. :). I will make you proud and spread lots of love to kids less fortunate. I will share and love on them just the way you did. You always made people feel so special by giving and spreading love.  I guess that's why this pain hurts so much because you were greater than you ever knew you were.

Hey Dad... How are you? I miss you so much there is so much your missing that I wish we could all share with you. "Your Peach" started Kindergarten! She loves it of course but it was a really rough day for me and Elijah we lost our best pal. We anxiously wait that long 2 1/2 hours until we can go pick her up... You'd be so proud of her Dad. She writes her whole name all by herself, she is just like you a Chatty Cathy making new friends everyday. It was so sad to send a group text to everyone on that special day and your name not be added, but I know you were there watching over us. Daniel started college... Crazy huh! Your Danny Boy is growing up Carlo is playing varsity football this year taking some names and kicking some butt! I know your going to miss all those games! Gabe is going to explore the world of drums... Ha ha I'm sure Nat and Marco are going to love that! Andrew was sad he didn't get in the class he wanted, but little does he know he lucked out he's in a class with mostly girls... And he's the perfect little gentleman just like you so I'm sure it'll be great! And Alphabet oh man he runs me ragged. He is a big ol mama's boy! He crawls around everywhere, climbs and gets into everything. He is a naughty little boy but man he is a little charmer. If you met him you'd think he's a trip. They say he looks like you... I think it's that Mendoza Eye we have with the suitcases of course.... Auntie Arlene sent a picture of your headstone today, it's beautiful Dad I pray you are resting peacefully now. I love you so much and miss you every second of everyday. You are over my heart everyday. Take care Dad xoxo
Bekah

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Sam I will miss you.

Friday, August 8, 2014 will be a day that will never be forgot.  Our dad went out Army proud and he is resting in a beautiful place with his fellow soldiers.  Thank you to our family who made his service exactly what he was, patriotic.  I had tears of joy watching the long line of bikes, flags and cars there to honor our wonderful "Pops".  Thank you to all of our family and friends that traveled from near and far.  Thank you to Uncle Rick and Auntie Arlene for opening their home up for a beautiful celebration of our dad's life.  Thank you to all of our family and friends that helped out by bringing a dish, setting and cleaning up and for just being there to hug us and share kind words and stories about our dad.  My dad loved a good party with lots of food and that is just what he got and deserved.  Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart for being there for us during this difficult time.

It is so hard to say good-by to you ,you have away been there for me,we have had are ups and down,but are love for eachother has never been lost, I will miss you my big brother, but you will never be gone from my hart,and mine , you rest in peace now be with mom and dad and grandma,till we all can be together again, your litte brother ruben just for you aka bobbie

RIP Sammy, Love your Aunt Ana (Uncle Gene's ex-wife)
Natalie, Lorraine & Beka know that I am praying for all of you.

RIP Sammy and know that I NEVER stopped loving you; 
And do me a favor give my mother and MY sister your mother a hug for me.

Love your Uncle Gene

I used to give my dad a hard time for blogging his daily activities by text message.  I guess he just wanted to let us know how life was without bothering us. :( Oh what I would do to pick up the phone and hear his voice or just read a text. Well now, I have to resort to blogging my feelings to a guest book as some type of therapy. Sad huh? A hard life lesson to learn, cherish what you have and never take it for granted, no matter how good or bad it seems. We never know when The Lord will take us. I missed you dad, especially at church yesterday. I kept imagining when we'd go together with the boys and during mass you'd always lean in and whisper something funny to me and hand the boys Money for offering then we'd pile in the truck and go eat something good. I miss your voice so much! I know it's better where you are but I'm selfish and would do anything to have you here just to hug and listen to your voice and laugh. You were the best even during the hard times. Please Look out for all of us and help lessen this pain in our hearts. On a good note, thanks for looking out for me today! You are still taking good care of your girl. :)

Worked with Sam at TRW. His good sense of humor made him fun to work with.

Gone too soon.

To the Family of Sam Mendoza.  It was a pleasure to have met Sam and the few hours we shared in our home this past Dec will always be remembered. Sam you will be missed by your family and friends.  You raised beautiful daughter to be strong, loving and wonderful mothers. Our deepest sympathy and prayers for your family and friends. You were loved and will be missed.

Dear Sam
Another week has goes by and I think to myself I am doing better.  I walk up stairs and see your picture with ma and realize you are gone.  You left big shoes to fill but I am up for it.  Each day I will be the sister I was meant to be and remember what we talked about and make everything ok.  At night I will look up into the sky and see you shining down on us.  I love you and miss you.

Samuel Mendoza was honored with complete beauty and grace.  His memorial was so personable...just like he was. All spoke of his generosity and passion for life. His three daughters, grandsons & peach "looked sharp".  The morning mass was blessed with a great turn out. The priest spoke poignantly, and reminded us to not act in ways that require hiding. Rather act in love for others that will lead us to meet Sam in heaven again.
Thank you all who shared the blessed life of our father.

Oh Dad this is hard we are driving out of El Paso right now seeing the signs for Las Cruces and my heart couldn't be more broken. I couldn't get myself to leave your place this morning. It was so sad to see it empty, all your hard worked boxed up in different places. Every time I opened that door I'd hoped and prayed that you'd be sitting on the couch watching a good flick right there to greet us, but then reality set in and I knew you were gone. As I was blessing you and giving you a kiss good bye I couldn't get my hand to let go of the urn my finger just kept tracing your name. I stared into your eyes and told you I loved you. I know you will be with me always in my heart and soul but I felt like I was leaving you forever and I'm just not ready to say good bye. So Dad I'll be seeing you xoxo love always your Baby Bekah

Sam, you will be missed by me and alot of your TRW family for sure.  We had many a great times down at Cape Canaveral, Florida to launch the satellites that we all worked hard on.  You also had a great group of friends at TRW and you were liked by all of them - Your friend Roc from the old 777 days.

As the days and weeks pass, may you remember and cherish the beautiful memories you had with your Dad. You now have your own personal guardian angel!  God bless.

Dearest Sam,
     I'm still in disbelief over your news.  My heart breaks for your beautiful daughters and family.  Thank you for being you and for always being such a caring grandpa to my kids. They still cant believe Grandpa Sam is gone. I know you're in a better place now and have probably made tons of new friends.  I promise to always watch over your Lori......RIP Sam....luv you!

Dad, today was by far the hardest day to be the oldest and carry out my orders...you raised me tough but today it was difficult to stay strong. The reality of this sad situation hit me when your apartment was empty. No more signs of dad, no more piles of mail, no more DVDs, no more southwest decor, no more weapon collections, no more dad scent. You're gone! :( Oh how I am going to miss you so much. I know you are still looking out for me and you will keep me tough down here to carry on. I will make you proud and do my best to be just like you. You were the best person to everyone you let in, which was so easy, so they are big shoes to fill. God and my angels will carry me on this journey. I know you are where you loved to be in the sky feeling free spreading your wings. No more pain or hurt anymore dad. Knowing that is what made the end of today better.  I feel you in my heart.

Sam,
What can I say ? I will never forget you ! Rest in Peace and God Bless !!
You will be missed. 

Love,
Deb

Well Sam I guess I am one of a few that knew you prior comming to work at that wonderful company called TRW (other than family) as I recall you asked me to help you get into TRW and I did the rest is history I must say Sam you really did do it your way God Rest your soul. Carl Lindsay

Sam,

Hard to believe the Lord has already called upon you to help do his will. Great memories working on programs with you at the job. You kept things simple. Everyone always knew if they saw something marked up with an acrylic green painted dot or two (especially tools)... "that belongs to Sam!" (your own style of graffiti.. LOL).

Rest in peace my friend.  You will be missed!

Sam, I still can't believe you are  gone and not around (in this world),  to call me and chit-chat (those long phone conversations we would have) Ha! Funny! now wish they would have been even  longer ... 

Sam, I would like to Thank You for being a mentor, friend and a brother, when I first arrived at TRW and for allowing me and my family, to be part of yours.

You were a truly a great friend and brother to me.  I will miss not having you around,  but I'm also thankful that  you are no longer in any pain (all those years of pain, my God!).  

I will always remember the good times and how much you loved your family, and I also know,  that you will be guiding them from up above.

Love You my Brother..  

"Rest in peace"

Rafael Ibarra & Family

Sam had a knack for finding the humor in a situation, even tense ones, and bringing people together. My favorite instance of this is when we were working at TRW in M1 putting up the big water tanks with some outside subcontractors. Sam managed to get everybody laughing and working on the same page by telling a story about how he got thrown out of the Wild Goose. Don't know if this is appropriate here, but it is all Sam. He had an understated wisdom and really had a touch with people...

Sam worked for me during his employment at TRW.  He had a great attitude towards life and his great work ethic and sense of humor will be sorely missed. God bless you Sam!

Sammy worked with my husband, Carl, and I at TRW for many years and Sam was in our wedding in 1979.  He will always be in our prayers.  God Bless Sam's Soul in Heaven.

It's me again Sam. I didn't light a candle for you. Here you go. Yes I know, I am a good ball. I love you Sam.

I will always remember Sam as generous man. He was a joker, and even though I rarely got his jokes I would laugh anyway.  He loved his family very much and we all love him. I miss you Sam.

Sam the Man ! My best friend we laughed and cried together. We always shared great stories and experiences in our lives..Our last conversation was about over 2 hours long we always talked like it was the last day. We laughed for hours at a time. He would tell me Toni Marie you better not repeat this so definitely will take secrets to the grave lol...He always spoke very highly of his 3 beautiful daughters and the uniqueness amongs them and his grand kids the love he felt for all!!Well Sam I will always Love  you with all my heart and soul. Your spirit  will always be with me and I know you will protect me always! I will surely miss you ..Only the good Die Young.God bless the heavens look out he is on his way!!! Toni Marie

Hey Sammy....
The last few days I have been sitting here remembering everything we talked about.  If I had a problem I knew that I could call on you and you would help me threw it...  I miss that so much now. You told me that being strong sometime means you can be weak and being weak will always make you stronger. Thinking is not stupid, it just means your grow up.  No matter what you were always there and still our.  Our 4-6 hour phone calls I miss.  We would change phone because our battery's were dying... What happen to phone with no battery's... I love you so much and miss you... Thank you for sharing your crazy ideas,stories and laughter with me and the rest of us. Now it's our time to pass them on.  Like you said "it's our time to shine".  I am going to continue to make you proud of all of us..  Just remember who is better at pool... Little sister ALWAYS WIN!! LOL But most of all I know I won the Lotto just being your sister... 

LOVE YA.

Sam, you made such an impression on those that had the pleasure of meeting you. You will always be remembered for your sense of humor and your generosity.From the first day I met you at TRW and borrowed a tool from you. They said, go find Sammy! He'll loan it you. And sure enough you did. Always so giving Sam. My only regret is that I never got the opportunity to fully thank you. I pray that some day we can meet again so that I can do just that.

Sam you would be so proud of your daughters! They want you to know how much they love, appreciate and cherish everything you did for them. They want you to shine like the stars in those heavenly skies. Thank you for sharing your spirit of kindness to all who had the pleasure of knowing you! So proud of you..love you forever Goya

Mr.Mendoza, nicest man in this world.lt was an HONOR to be part of ur family.I will always remember all the good things u did for us. R.I.P. SOLDIER.

Mr.Mendoza.You were the nicest person in the world.It was an HONOR to be part of your family. RIP soldier, I'll never forget everything u did for us.

Pops,
It's funny how I somehow "get the punch line" more now. You had so many facets, and were wiser than I ever understood. I aspire to be like you each day.
We be love.
Nat

Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us, unseen, unheard, but always near.  Still loved, Still missed.

Penoyer Family
El Paso.

Dad
Thank you so much for all the wonderful memories you left me with. I just wish we had more time together... Forever wouldn't have been enough! I miss and love you always... Bek xoxo

Dear Sammy...
I pick up my phone today to call and tell you a bad joke to realize I don't have to use my minutes to talk to you today... It's now free... I am so proud to be called your sissy Arleen.  You were right mama is proud of all her children.  I miss you so much and now it time for the rest of us to step up to the plate.

Sam, your huge heart will never be forgotten. The stories Rebekah talks of when she was a child describes a great father, a man that loved to give, and was always willing to help. An amazing example of character in a man and something I will strive to become. Thank you for allowing me into your family, it is an honor to be your son in law. Until next time Sam, please watch over us all, take it easy and enjoy the weather in the heavens.

I Love you Brother,and will truly miss you,you may be gone from life, but NEVER from my HART Your Little Brother Ruben R.I.P.

Mr. Mendoza I will be forever your son in law.  You will truly be missed by me and the boys Carlo and Gabe.  You are a great man and a wonderful father.  Rest in Peace.  We love you.

Going to miss those textes that you would send randomly Sam! you we're a very fun loving guy that everyone loved to be around!! gonna miss those silly comments that you would always make.....now you can make God and all the Angels laugh up in the heaven!! Gonna miss you a lot Sam. Rest in peace I'll keep an eye open for Loraine and the boys!
Your friend Olga   ;-(

Dad today's a sad day. We are all together and the only thing missing is you! Your unforgettable laugh, your stories, your jokes, your contagious smile. I miss you so much. I wish I could just hear your voice. I love you so much Dad. I pray you are finally resting peacefully. Bekah

This candle burns bright for Mr . Samuel Mendoza , God's Angel my good friend Loraine father . Peace, prayers&great respect.

I was blessed to be #1 and learn so much from you. You were the best dad and grandpa. Your charismatic  personality and giving spirit is going to leave a big void in this world.  I will carry you in my heart forever and carry on your spirit. Until we meet again in heaven Pops. Love, Lori

I will never forget you Sam.
You saved me from trouble more than once.
You were among those generous people that cared about others.
May God bless you.
Love, Tom

To my Big brother Sam
I have always looked up to you....and will miss you more then words can say.. Thank you for your years of service.. Love your baby sister Belinda??

Hey Sam;
Thank you for all the memories of beng a brother and friend.
Your white Buick skylark,walking in the fourth of july parade and our military service we both share. I hope your happy and at peace with 
Everyone you knew. Pray for our souls and alway remember your never alone.
Love always,
Your brother and friend Tony

Mr. Mendoza,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served as a U.S. Army Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division- the "All-American" Division. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Airborne-All The Way!

Sam you will always be in our hearts not a day will go by that we will not think of you. We will miss you so much you will always be our inspiration..Love Goya

Dad,
I love you so much and miss you more than words can explain. You were the Best Dad anyone could have ever asked for! You will be with me everyday until we meet again!
Love your Baby Rebekah

Dad,
I am so proud to be your daughter.
I miss you...always.
We be love,
Natalie

OBITUARY

Samuel Jorge Mendoza

April 23, 1953 – July 12, 2014

Martin Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services