David was born on October 7, 1941 in Morenci, AZ to the late Theodoro Jimenez and Esperanza Padilla Jimenez. David is preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Yolanda and Frank Carbajal and his nephew, Ruben Carbajal. David is survived by his wife of 54 years, Toni (married in 1968), his daughter, Monica Flores (Manuel), son, David (Al), and Ted, and grandsons, Josh, Manuel, Jr., Hunter and Antonio, and a wonderful family of cherished relatives, friends, neighbors, and Blondie, his beloved rescue dog that he adored and enjoyed taking for rides.
David, a native Arizonan was raised in Clifton, AZ during the fifties. The San Francisco River, the public swimming pool and City Park were some of the places he enjoyed adventures with his long time childhood friends. A Clifton Trojan, David excelled in sports: baseball, basketball, and football during his high school years. On weekends and after school, he would also help his parents with the grocery business, the “Cash & Carry Market". David graduated from high school in 1959, he then left to Phoenix to attend Arizona Barber school where he graduated in August of 1960. In March of 1962, David started working for the Phelps Dodge copper mine. Shortly, thereafter “Uncle Sam” came knocking at his door and he served in the U.S. Army from 1962 until June 1964, after his honorable discharge. Stationed in Fort Lewis, WA where he met his brother, Steve Calondis from Ohio. Both continued a life-time of friendship and brotherhood until David’s passing. David returned to the mine and worked for 22 years, until 1983, always embracing his union status. His children were his priority and was always involved in their sports, coaching Bobby Sox and Little League, his nickname became “Coach”. David was a member of the Clifton Social Club, American Legion, Clifton Trojan Booster, Sacred Heart Church and Beneficio Propio. Then the big strike and flood of 1983 hit the community and David packed up his family and moved to the Mesa area in 1984. David started a new career with Southwest Gas utilities from 1985, until his retirement in 1999.
After retirement, David started another full-time career, devoting his time being a full-time grandfather. His involvement with his grandchildren coaching the students in basketball and baseball. To this day, he is remembered fondly by the families and students at Queen of Peace. In his retirement, David found a fixer-upper in Alpine and spent 13 years enjoying the mountains, fishing, visiting with friends and talking about his hometown roots. His wish to visit Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial came true in 2013. He admired and respected all servicemen and enjoyed listening to their stories. Seldom seen in town without his Veteran cap. Yard sales were on his Saturday menu. David enjoyed spending time in his garage listening to his Mexican music, having his favorite beer, doing home repairs, working on his lawn, watching black/white movies, war movies, and his favorite sports teams, the Arizona Cardinals and the Suns, and playing solitaire were some of his many past-times. David was a simple, humble, quiet and kind man.
I will look to the Heavens and look for that shining star in the sky. David will be sorely missed by all. We will treasure his memory forever. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their sincere thoughts and condolences, prayers, cards, flowers, food, phone calls, Facebook comments, texts and the visits to the hospital, care center and at home; we are deeply grateful to you.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1730 West Guadalupe Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202, on February 14, 2023 at 10:00 am. The service will also be livestreamed at sttimothymesa.org. Immediately following the service, we invite everyone to a celebration of David’s life, in the banquet room. Face masks are suggested, but not required. Inurnment will follow at a later date at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a contribution to any Veterans’ Organization or your favorite food bank, to help feed families and the homeless. The family of David Jimenez would like to express their gratitude to the following: Hospice Family Care, St. Timothy’s Catholic Community and the staff of Lakeshore Mortuary.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Jimenez family.
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