David Jacobo Mendoza

David is survived by his wife, Elisa Mendoza; children, Margaret Mitchell, Maria Mendoza, David Mendoza, Betty Castillo, Kathy Mendoza and Michael Mendoza; siblings, Lupe Saavedra of Los Angeles, California, Camerina Razo of Comanja, Michoacan and Santiago Mendoza of Rialto, California; 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by father Faustino Mendoza of Zamora, mother Beatriz Mendoza Jacobo of Comanja, brother Emigdio Mendoza of Comanja all in the state of Michoacan and brother Jose Mendoza of Guadalajara, Jalisco.

David was born on November 15, 1923 in Comanja, Michoacan to Faustino and Beatriz Mendoza. He left Mexico in 1942 and came to the United States at the age of 19 under the Bracero Act as a farm hand in Billings, Montana. He married Elisa Martinez in 1950 and they began their life together in the fields of Firebaugh, California. After moving to Riverside, California in 1960 David began working for Benton Plating and then Hooker Headers in Pomona, California as a polisher. Later in life, he worked for the Jurupa Unified School District as a substitute custodian.

For 55 years their home in Riverside was of modest means, but everyone who entered were welcomed as family and knew their home was filled with love. The couple raised six children in their home and David took great pride in providing for his family. His children and grandchildren remember him as a strong, honorable, practical and loving father and grandfather who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

David was a humble, hard working and humorous man of few words, but loved telling detailed stories of his adventures. In his younger years, he was a self-taught mechanic and handyman who on weekends could be found under the hood of a car in his best clothes. Throughout his years, everyone in the neighborhood in need of help knew they could call upon David, and they did. In his later years, he was a gentle man of God taking care of his “muchacha bonita” Licha and announcing to her every morning “coffee time!” All who knew David were better for knowing him.

A vigil and rosary is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary. A mass is scheduled for 11:00 am on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with a reception to follow at 3874 Lindsay Street, Riverside, CA 92509. Father Michael Manning will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate David's life. In lieu of flowers, please go online for donations to operationsmile.org

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”