ESTEBAN MENDOZA

Esteban Mendoza was born on April 5, 1933 in Laredo, Texas, and graduated from Martin High School in 1951. In 1953, he married Alicia Soto, the love of his life, whom he met in sixth grade. The two started a family and ultimately had six children. Esteban worked at Neisner's department store in downtown Laredo for 25 years as an assistant manager before deciding to go into business for himself as a merchant. He took great pride in owning and operating his store, Telas Dianita, where he sold fabrics to garment makers throughout the city and in Mexico.  His entrepreneurial spirit was truly remarkable.

Esteban was a well-read man who valued and loved his family.  He and Alicia instilled a love of learning and a sense of ambition in their children. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family so that they could lead successful lives. Esteban was very proud of the fact that he and Alicia were able to send all of their children on to institutions of higher learning. Esteban himself was a life-long learner and kept up with his reading of history and current events well into old age.  He always enjoyed listening to romantic ballads on his stereo.  He had an opinion on everything and was never shy about sharing it.

Esteban is preceded in death by his wife Alicia Mendoza (Soto), his brother Fidel Mendoza, and his parents Esteban and Juana Mendoza.

He is survived by his sister, Graciela Hogan (Mendoza); six children, Fidel (Rosie), Javier (Patricia), Jorge (Nora), Carlos, Elsa (Neil), and Fernando (Juanita); fourteen grandchildren, Yvette, Ericka, Javier, Markos, Eduardo, Alex, Carlos, Esteban, Alyssa, Jackie, Rebecca, Stefan, Liana, and Andy; as well as one great grandchild, Noah.  The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to Judith Mendoza for the compassionate care she provided for Esteban in his final years.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 4 p.m to 9 p.m. and a Vigil of the Deceased will be held at 7 p.m. in the Hernandez-Lopez and Sons East Chapel, 4500 Thomas Ave. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 departing from the funeral home chapel. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church. Committal services and interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.