Obituary of Alex Mendez

Alejandro (Alex) Mendez Jr. beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, friend and companion, left us on the morning of Wednesday, February 21, 2018, with his family at his side after a prolonged and brave battle with pneumonia and stemming complications. Alex was born August 24, 1940 in Santa Paula, California to Alex and Jesse Mendez. Shortly thereafter the Mendez family moved and settled in Carpinteria, California. A lifelong resident of the Santa Barbara area, he played amongst the many natural features of the beautiful landscape he held so dear, often telling stories of his youth filled with adventures throughout his cherished Carpinteria foothills. After graduating from Carpinteria High School, Alex enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a field communications operator in the South Pacific. He was very proud of his service to his country, which left him with a wealth of experiences in foreign lands. A dedicated and hardworking man, Alex was a provider with a strong work ethic, retiring after 42 years in the grocery industry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alejandro Sr. and Jesse Mendez and is survived by his wife, Carmen, daughter, Antonette, sons: Thomas (Kim Lanh), Alex, and Michael (Pamela); grandchildren Monique, Bao, Tula, Gavriella and Steffanie and great granddaughter, Opal. He is also survived by his sisters; Lucy Diaz, Elsie Merritt, Linda Hernandez (Danny) and Helen Mercer (Steve) and his bothers: Gilbert (Cindy) and Charlie along with several nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary at 2020 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara on Friday, March 9 from 2-4pm. A memorial service will be held at Goleta Valley Church at 595 North Fairview Avenue in Goleta at 1 pm on Saturday, March 10 with a reception immediately following at the church for family and friends. Arrangements entrusted to McDermott Crockett Mortuary.