Obituary of Bernardino Q. Mendoza

Funeral services for Bernardino Mendoza, 79, of Tatum, NM will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church with Father Jesus Martinez officiating.. Burial will follow at Tatum Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept, 12th from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at the funeral home with the Rosary being at 7:00 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church Parish Hall. Mr. Mendoza was born in Santa Barbara de Tutuaca, Chihuahua, Mexico on May 20, 1940 to Felix and Elena (Quintana) Mendoza and passed away on September 7, 2019 in Tatum. He married Soledad Palacio in Mexico in 1965 and they raised eight children and shared life for fifty-four years. Bernardino came to New Mexico in the 70's at the age of 19 as a migrant farmer. He enjoyed farming and gardening, riding a bicycle, singing and playing his guitar and also liked playing dominoes. He was the custodian for Tatum schools and retired after eighteen years with never a sick day on his record. He taught his children how to work and gave them great work ethics, as he set the example for them. Bernardino was a deacon at church and did the church maintenance and was very active in the churches activities. He liked reading and praying and was a very humble man. Preceding him in death were his parents; one daughter Elizabeth Mendoza; and two sisters: Elodia and Juanita. Surviving him is his wife "Chole" of the home; one daughter: Lupe Mendoza of Albuquerque, NM and six sons: Carlos and wife Rika of Anthem, AZ, Manuel and wife Itzel of San Antonio, TX, Julian of Gilbert, AZ, Ray and wife Karen of Lubbock, TX, Joe David and wife Maria of Kansas City, MO, Erik and wife Yolanda of Las Cruces, NM and: grandson, Macario Mendoza of Tatum, whom they raised as a son; also one sister: Herminia and husband Alfonso Castro of Chihuahua and thirteen grandchildren. According to your preference, you may either send flowers or donations for Preserving Families, (a Catholic Charities Program for providing safe shelter, humanitarian aid and travel for migrants). The link for the Charities program is https://ccaosa.ejoinme.org/PF.