Jose Luis Mendoza

Jose Luis Mendoza, born on July 11th, 1968, in Coalcomán, Michoacán passed away Friday, July 11th, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Although Jose was born in Mexico, he lived the majority of his life in Watsonville. He graduated from Watsonville High School and began his career as a commercial painter in 1987.

In 1993, he traveled to Guadalajara, Jalisco where he met the love of his life Maria Del Socorro Sepulveda. In 1994, they married and had their first daughter Maria De Jesus Mendoza. They had their second daughter, Angie Maria Mendoza, in 1996, and their third daughter, Nicolina Mendoza-Sepulveda, in 2002. In 2002, Jose met his friend of a lifetime, Antonio “Tony” Sabatino through work. Jose and Tony were a well-known duo loved by the community, not only for their years of painting various commercial and residential buildings in Santa Cruz County, but because of their dynamic relationship. In the last years of his life, Jose spent most of his days tending to his garden, re-building his 1962 convertible Impala, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed fishing when he had the time.

Jose is survived by his devoted wife Maria Del Socorro Mendoza; his three beloved daughters, Maria De Jesus Mendoza, Angie Maria Mendoza, and Nicolina Mendoza-Sepulveda; his esteemed sons-in-law, Christopher De Lara and William Galvan; his precious grandchild, Sebastian De Lara; his dear friend and father figure, Tony Sebatino; and his rambunctious pets, Butterscotch, Roxy and Cinnabon.

The viewing will be held 5 P.M. Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel. Mass will be held Monday, July 28th, 2025 in St Patrick’s Catholic Parish at 10 A.M.

José Luis Mendoza, nacido el 11 de julio de 1968 en Coalcomán, Michoacán, falleció el viernes 11 de julio de 2025 rodeado de su familia y seres queridos.

Aunque José nació en México, vivió la mayor parte de su vida en Watsonville. Se graduó en la preparatoria Watsonville High School y comenzó su carrera como pintor comercial en 1987. En 1993, viajó a Guadalajara, Jalisco, donde conoció al amor de su vida, María Del Socorro Sepúlveda. En 1994, se casaron y tuvieron a su primera hija, María De Jesús Mendoza. Tuvieron a su segunda hija, Angie María Mendoza, en 1996, y en el 2002 su tercera hija, Nicolina Mendoza-Sepulveda. En 2002, José conoció a su amigo de toda la vida, Antonio "Tony" Sabatino, a través del trabajo. José y Tony eran un dúo conocido y querido por la comunidad, no solo por sus años de pintar varios edificios comerciales y residenciales en el condado de Santa Cruz, sino por su relación dinámica. En los últimos años de su vida, José pasó la mayor parte de sus días cuidando su jardín, reconstruyendo su Impala convertible de 1962 y pasando tiempo con su familia. También disfrutaba pescar cuando tenía tiempo.

A José le sobreviven su devota esposa, María Del Socorro Mendoza; sus tres amadas hijas, María De Jesús Mendoza, Angie María Mendoza y Nicolina Mendoza-Sepulveda; sus estimados yernos, Christopher De Lara y William Galván; su preciado nieto, Sebastián De Lara; su querido amigo y figura paterna, Tony Sebatino; y sus revoltosas mascotas, Butterscotch, Roxy y Cinnabon.

El velorio se llevará a cabo a las 5:00 pm del domingo 27 de julio de 2025 en la Capilla Memorial Ave María. La misa será el lunes 28 de julio de 2025 en la Iglesia de San Patricio a las 10:00 am.