Manuel Mendoza

Manuel Mendoza It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Manuel Mendoza of Odessa, Texas, on December 28, 2020, at the age of 70.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife: Maria Antonia Mendoza of Odessa; by his sons: Fernando Mendoza and wife Martha of Florida, Jose Manuel Mendoza and wife Maria Guadalupe of Little Rock, Arkansas, Juan Manuel Mendoza of Odessa, Antonio Mendoza and wife Christina of Odessa, Jose de Jesus Mendoza and wife Adrianna of Odessa; by his daughters: Marcela Fortanel and husband Jose Luis of Rome, Georgia, Griselda Mendoza of Dalton, Georgia, Sonia Ramirez and husband Rene of Midland, Marissa Lopez and husband Emmanuel of Odessa, Melissa Robles and husband Frank of Midland, Christina Mendoza and fiancé Austin of Austin; by his brothers: Juan Mendoza, Isidoro Mendoza, Gerardo Mendoza, Alejandro Mendoza, Francisco Mendoza, Crisoforo Mendoza, Fausto Mendoza and Arturo Mendoza; survived by sisters: Justina Trejo, Sabina Muñoz and Luisa Salinas; survived by 31 grandchildren: Edwin, Jose Luis, Aime, Jonathan, Antonio, Elijah, Briana, Ivan, Ozzy, Manuel, Zoey, Yahir, Briseyda, AJ, Fernando Jr., Aiden, RJ, Elizabeth, Isaac, Ashley, Alexis, Victor, Mason, Valentina, Emmalee, Justin, Catalina, Sammi, Alondra, Ruben, and Marco Antonio; and survived by 1 great-granddaughter. Manuel Mendoza is preceded in death by his parents Crisoforo Mendoza and Conrada Sandoval, and a younger sister Beatriz Mendoza Sandoval. Manuel Mendoza entered this world on December 20th, 1950 in Jalpan de Serra, Queretaro, Mexico.

He was the third born of 13 children born to Crisoforo Mendoza and Conrada Sandoval. He worked very hard as a child throughout his teenage years alongside his father, working the land to keep food on the table. Like many immigrants that come to the United States, he crossed rough terrain and many dangerous paths to pursue the “American Dream.” Once on US land he went to work as ranch hand and later becoming a foreman in the vegetational farms in Oregon and Idaho. After working his 14-hour shifts, he still had the energy to go dancing at a local dance hall where he met and fell in love with a young woman who would later become his wife and form a life with. During the Reagan Administration he was able to obtain his permanent resident card, and thanks to the Amnesty Bill being passed he was able to pursue other career goals. Manuel’s younger brother later told him about an Oil Boom in the Permian Basin with an abundance of work opportunities. Manuel then settled his family in a small town of Odessa, Texas, where he worked in the Construction Industry building segment. He worked as a carpenter and concrete finisher for almost 35 plus years. After every job he would take his wife and children to see his accomplishments. He was very proud of all the buildings he helped construct. Some of the most recognizable buildings in West Texas he helped construct were the Midland International Airport Terminal Building, Midland County Horseshoe Pavilion, Midland County Jail Expansion Phases I and II, Scharbauer Sports Complex, Ward Memorial Hospital Renovations in Monahans, Odessa South Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility, SeminoleISD bond package, Scharbauer Flats, countless of schools throughout West Texas and countless of Power Plants throughout West Texas.

Public viewing will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa; Prayer Service will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Pastor Rudy Vasquez and wife Martha Vasquez; Rosary will follow from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel. Private Prayer Service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 14th, 2021 at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Pastor Rudy Vasquez and wife Martha Vasquez and internment will follow at Ector County Cemetery Odessa II Section.

Pallbearers will be Juan Manuel Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza, Antonio Mendoza, Jose Manuel Mendoza, Jose de Jesus Mendoza, Ozzy Mendoza, Isaac Delbosque, Isidoro Mendoza and Gerardo Mendoza.

Arrangements are by Martinez Funeral Home.