Higinio (Gene) Flores Mendiola, Sr., was born in Sinajana, Guam, to Jose and Ramona Mendiola on January 11, 1934. He was a resident of Yuma, Arizona, since 1978. Gene went to be with the Lord on September 12, 2024, passing peacefully in his sleep at age 90.
While he was still a young boy, Gene survived the severe hardships of being a prisoner of war during World War II. Gene emigrated from Guam to San Diego, CA, in 1952. He joined the US Navy in 1954 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1978 after a distinguished military career that included service during the Vietnam War. Gene continued his life of service in his civilian career that followed, applying the training and expertise he acquired in the Navy to serve as a Chief Technologist and manager of a blood laboratory.
Gene was married for 50 years to the love of his life, Jacqueline Carol Mendiola, who passed away on December 11, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his parents Jose and Ramona, his in-laws William Rigney and Jean D. Greco, his brothers Jose (Piling), Anthony (Tony), Johnny, and Jesus (Jimmy), his sister Maria (Tita) Perez, and his daughter Jean Marie. Left to cherish his memory are his sister Annie Diego; children Angela M. Brown, Rosanne M. Aranda and Cornelio Aranda, Higinio “Geno” Mendiola, Jr., and husband Michael Richardson; grandchildren Ashley Wilson, Jennah Aranda and partner Wayne Magnusen, Amber Wilson, Julia Aranda and fiancé Stephen Dean, Leo Aranda and wife Anna Pagatpatan, Haleigh Mendiola Vasquez and husband Jonah Vasquez; and great-grandchildren Makayla Jones, Devany Robinson, Lylah Minor, Halanah Magnusen, Joleigh Magnusen, Legend Minor, and Amelia Aranda.
Gene was an incredibly loving and supportive patriarch to his family and the many close friends he considered family as well. He was an extraordinarily giving and caring man who enriched the lives of many with his love and guidance. He was renowned for his support of the Sons and Daughters of Guam Club in San Diego where he was an honorary member, planting fruit trees and providing his homegrown camachiles to many of his Guamanian friends season after season. He was also an avid bowler and eagerly provided tips to his colleagues, children and grandchildren on how to improve their game. Although he will be terribly missed, our feelings of gratitude outweigh our grief, and we are joyful that he is happily reunited with his beloved wife Jackie who he missed so much the past 17 years.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to our loving family and friends near and far for their thoughts, prayers, and continuing acts of kindness – we are blessed beyond measure!
In lieu of flowers please donate to Sons & Daughters of Guam Club at https://sdguamclub.org/ in Honor of Higino Flores Mendiola Sr.
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