Ernest Mendoza
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Ernest Mendoza, at the age of 77, passed away on February 20, 2021 at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. He was born on May 27, 1943 in Santa Paula, CA to the late Carlos Mendoza and Rose Allen.
Ernest was a 1961 graduate of Santa Paula High School. Upon graduation, on August 23, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Lupe Ulloa, in Exeter, CA. In March of 1966, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Lancaster, CA. In 1967, they welcomed their first-born child Thomas and in 1969, their second son Patrick arrived. He later attended California State University, Northridge where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Education and also received a Master's in Education from California Lutheran University. Soon after, he was employed by the Santa Paula Elementary School District where he worked as a teacher for the next 30 years at Isbell Middle School, making a lasting impact on several hundred students from the Santa Paula community. Additionally, for many years, Ernest volunteered his time at the Santa Paula Little League coaching baseball for local youth teams. He also worked as an Assistant Baseball Coach for Santa Paula High School. In retirement, he continued to teach for Ventura Community College working with second language learners. He also worked for various auto part stores as a parts delivery associate.
Ernest enjoyed spending time with family, attending his grandchildren's sporting events and going to family vacations. He and Lupe enjoyed attending car shows, where his '72 Nova won various awards. He was especially proud of the restoration of his recent addition to his car collection: a 31 Ford Roadster that was passed on to him by his late grandfather. He and Lupe later became members of the Ventura Classics Car Club, where they were fortunate enough to make lifelong friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Carlos Mendoza, his mother Rose Allen, his stepfather, Jack Allen and his brother Robert Mendoza.
He is survived by his wife of over 59 years Lupe, children Thomas (Virginia) and Patrick, sisters Kim Sandoval and Jackie Cartagena, grandchildren Jordan, Taylor, Eric, Marissa and Alyssa. He also leaves behind numerous loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation will have a limited capacity from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, March 25th, 2021 at Church of Angels, 600 East Pleasant Street in Santa Paula, California. A rosary will be recited at 9:30am on Friday, March 26th, 2021 with a Funeral Mass to begin at 10:00am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 427 N Oak Street in Santa Paula. Interment to follow at Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road in Santa Paula.
To view and sign the family's online guestbook, click on Ernest's name located below "Obituaries" at www.santapaulafuneralhome.com.