Kenneth Rocha

Sep. 11, 1919 - Jul. 20, 2011

Delivered by his grandmother on a remote dairy farm his birth certificate lists as "somewhere near Gustine, Kenneth R. Rocha was born to Kenneth and Josephine Rocha on September 11, 1919, and entered into rest on July 20, 2011. Kenneth was the oldest of eight children: Joaquin, Alex, Ernest, Jerome, Theodore, Josephine, and an infant daughter. Joaquin Rocha, Jerome Rocha and Theodore Rocha survive.

After Kenneth completed eight grade, his father became ill and died; and Kenneth and his older brothers continued to work on the dairy while his mother raised goats to support the family. It was a simple, hard-working life, but the family managed to have fun with their own "goat rodeos", family gatherings, dances, and an occasional movie.

Kenneth met a young girl named Arline Deniz at one of the dances and asked her to a movie. When Arline's whole family showed up for the movie, Kenneth would later say, "I asked her to marry me so I could get her alone". Kenneth married Arline Deniz on June 14, 1941. This loving union lasted 58 years, and they have a daughter, Marlene Shelburne, and a son, Kenneth L. Rocha who survive.

Kenneth and Arline sold their dairy and moved to Hughson, California in 1966. Kenneth became a mill supervisor for A. L. Gilbert Co. in Oakdale and after retirement was employed by Mid Valley Nut Co. in Hughson until he was nearly 90 years old. Kenneth and Arline loved their family and friends, Festas, playing cards, and traveling. Kenneth so loved life, that after Arline's death in 1999 he again found love and companionship at 84 years of age and married Evelyn Toste of Hughson. They continued to enjoy family gatherings, friends and traveling.

Kenneth leaves behind many extended family, friends, godchildren, and coworkers whom he enjoyed in his lifetime. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Rick, Randy, Ritchie, Lisa, Steven, and Andrea. His great-grandchildren: Christopher, Renette, Kimberly, Megan, Zachary, Ashley, Cherish, Vanessa, Deon, Austin James, Kenneth, Jessica, Natalie and Samuel. And his great-great grandchildren: Paige, Jordan, Adrian, Hayden, McKenzie, Kelsey, Westley Jayden.

Services are pending: Viewing, Tue. 7/26/11, from 2-8 P.M., followed by rosary 7 P.M., at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, Turlock, CA, Mass, Wed. 7/27/11 at 10 A.M. at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church, Fox & Euclid Rds., Hughson, CA, followed by burial Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA.

Remembrances may be made to Alexander Cohen Hospice House, 2201 Euclid Ave., Hughson CA 95326 or Children's Guardian Fund, P.O. Box 2455, Oakdale, CA 95361

Services are under direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service, Turlock, California

www.whitehurstnortondiasfuneral.com