John F. Mendoza

Judge John F. Mendoza, native Las Vegan, retired former Clark County District Judge, 83, of Las Vegas, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, after a brief illness. Born Jan. 13, 1928, in Las Vegas, Mendoza's storied life included being the captain of the Las Vegas High School Dream Team of '44 football squad. A tough running back, he led the Wildcats to eight consecutive victories before the team trounced Sparks 19-0 in the championship game. Yet another impressive statistic was the fact that the Wildcats never allowed successive first downs. In addition, no team was able to score against the team. The team drew capacity crowds at Butcher Field in downtown Las Vegas, while also setting another high standard with a long list of players who eventually entered the legal profession. The Wildcats' team was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in April of this year. Mendoza served in the U.S. Army and attended the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship. He graduated Juris Doctorate, cum laude from Notre Dame in 1951. Mendoza served as Clark County Deputy District Attorney from 1951-55. He was Justice of the Peace for Las Vegas Township from 1955-57 before being named North Las Vegas City Attorney from 1958-59. Mendoza was elected Clark County District Attorney in 1960, serving in the position until 1962. He was also a partner in the law firm of Mendoza Foley & Garner from 1957-66. Mendoza was elected District Court Judge of the Eighth Judicial District for Nevada in 1966, where he served until 1990. He specialized in juvenile justice from 1969-1984, was president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce from 1990-1992 and joined his wife, Eva Garcia Mendoza, as a partner with Mendoza Garcia Mendoza. He was also chairman of the Nevada Public Service Commission (PSC) from 1992-1998, being appointed chairman of the newly formed Transportation Service Authority from 1998-2000. Other professional positions included serving as president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and serving as national director and president of the Las Vegas "Aid to Adoption of Special Kids" (AASK). Mendoza was co-founder of the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA) which was named in the Congressional Record by U.S. Senator Harry Reid Sept. 28, 2010. A school - John F. Mendoza Elementary - was opened in his honor in 1990. Survivors include his wife, Eva Garcia Mendoza; daughters, Donna Mitchell (Greg), Francisca Martinet (Bill), Victoria Mendoza, and Jahnann Pepple (Jeff); and son, John Jr.; his former wife, Ruby; and stepchildren Teresa Toplak (Paul), Christina Greene and Aaron Greene; and eight grandchildren. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, both at Palm Mortuary, 1325 N. Main St. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1500 Las Vegas Blvd. N. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to John F. Mendoza Elementary School, 2000 S. Sloan Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89142, or phone (702) 799-8680 for further information. Arrangements under the direction of Aaron Forgey, Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.