Alfonso Gaytan Ledesma

Alfonso is survived by; sons Alfonso Ledesma; Rudy Gaona; and Aquiles Gona; daughters Alice Ledesma; Patricia Ledesma; Naomi Tuck; Josephine Ledesma; Yolanda Quinonez; Yvonne Gaona; and daughter Yvette Gaona Fontenot; sister Christina Ledesma.

A visitation for Alfonso will be held Sunday, April 7, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 pm at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel, 202 N. Teilman Ave., Fresno, California 93706.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will occur Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm, at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Monday, April 8, 2019 at 10:00 am at St Alphonsus Church, 351 E Kearney Blvd., Fresno, California 93706.

A committal service will follow at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 N Teilman Ave., Fresno, California 93706.

Alfonso Gaytan Ledesma was born in Jalisco, Mexico on October 22,

1929. His father was Salvador Ledesma and his mother was Rafaela

Gaytan. Alfonso had four siblings: Cristina Ledezma Gaytan, Cruz

Ledezma Gaytan, Alberto Ledezma Gaytan, and Juanita Santiago.

Alfonso grew up on a farm, where his father taught him how to plant

and care for the land. At age 18, Alfonso joined the Mexican Army.

After serving, he traveled throughout Mexico looking for work.

Alfonso loved to learn new skills and was a fast learner. He knew

how to make bricks, make paint out of colored clay, weld, build

homes, do roofing, lay tile, fix cars, plumbing and much more. When

he came to the U.S., his first job was washing dishes at Catalina Casino,

where he saw Sammy Davis Jr., Red Skelton, and many others perform.

He later worked in an orchard where he learned to prune trees and

grapevines, He said the owner taught him and he then taught others.

Alfonso then left to meet his brother Albert, who helped get him a job at

Southern Pacific Railroad as a heavy equipment operator. He soon

moved to Fresno where he met our mother, Lucy Martinez. They

raised a family of 10 children: Rudy Gaona, Aquiles Gaona, Yolanda

Quinonez, Yvonne Gaona, Yvette Fontenot, Alice Ledesma, Naomi Tuck,

Alfonso Ledesma Jr., Patricia Paquette, and Mona Ledesma. He was

blessed with many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved his

family very much. Alfonso later married Josephine Olivas. Alfonso

retired from Southern Pacific Railroad after approximately 35

years of service.

He enjoyed his home, planting many fruit trees, flowers and plants.

He also loved to drive his orange/white Volkswagen which always

got him plenty of compliments. He played the guitar and the

accordion. if you asked him to play and sing, he would never refuse

you. Each morning you would always find Dad sitting in the backyard,

reading and soaking up the sun. During the evening, he would sit on

the front porch. It brought me great joy to often hear him singing praises

and praying. When I asked of his relationship with God, he would say, "I'm

ready, it's up to Him." He would point up, raising his eyebrows and

nodding his head.

Dad was well loved in his neighborhood. If you came to his door, he had

cold water, cold soda, candy or a couple of dollars to hand out. He loved

conversation, so plan on staying awhile. Let's not forget the animals.

Every morning he would put bread on the front lawn to feed the birds. He

also fed the stray cats in his backyard.

Dad loved his family, each and every one of us. He often told me he was

Blessed. He loved to work. Dad passed away on March 28, 2019. When

they found him, he was doing what he loved, working outside. A friend of

ours described it as, "He was in his happy place!"