Obituaries
Socorro Espinoza
Jan 9, 2021
Socorro Ochoa Espinoza was born on the 21st of November, 1945, in Tasinaxtla, Jalisco, now known as La Canada. She was born to her father Jose Ochoa and her mother Rosa Maria Martinez. She has 3 siblings: Lino Ochoa (deceased), Norma Orozco, and Bertha Macias. Socorro is better known to her family as “Coco” short for “Coconoots”, a nickname...
Rufina Zambrano Tehandon
Jan 9, 2021
On January 9, 2021, Rufina Zambrano Tehandon peacefully passed away. She was 85.
Rufina, born on July 10, 1935, was a resident of Watsonville. She loved making quilts and spending time with her family and her grandchildren. She also loved going to flea markets, dancing, and listening to music.
Rufina and her dear husband Santiago...
Gildardo Gomez
Jan 2, 2021
Gildardo Gomez, peacefully passed away on January 2 at the age of 85.
Mr. Gomez was born on February 9, 1935, in Jalisco, Mexico. He came to the U.S. through the Bracero Program, working in several areas of California before settling in Watsonville, CA in 1972.
He was self employed in the agriculture business and loved...
Richard Lang
Dec 26, 2020
Richard “Dick” Lang peacefully passed away on December 26, 2020 at the age of 85.
Mr. Lang was born on February 7, 1935 in Iowa. He was very active in motorsports; everything from being on the pit crew at the Old San Jose Speedway, to 4-wheeling, to all aspects of motorcycle riding. From dirt and dual sport...
Santiago Estrada Tehandon
Dec 25, 2020
On December 25, 2020, Santiago Estrada Tehandon peacefully passed away. He was 79.
Santiago, born on February 6, 1940, was a resident of Watsonville. He was a hunger fighter of 2020 for Second Harvest Foodbank and a volunteer for Our Lady Help of Christians. Santiago loves spending time with his grandkids and also loved going to flea...
Judith Dowler
Dec 23, 2020
On December 23, 2020, Judith Kay Dowler peacefully passed away. She was 80 years old.
Judith, born on February 12, 1940 in Mound City Kansas, was a resident of Royal Oaks, California at the time of her passing and for many years preceding. Judith went to Salinas High School. She was a caretaker to many; she loved...
Vicente Hernandez
Dec 17, 2020
Vicente A Hernandez, a former resident of Watsonville, CA, peacefully passed away on December 17 at the age of 87. He was born on January 14, 1933 in La Precita, Guanajuato, Mexico to Guadalupe Hernandez and Edubijes Arellano. In 1960, he immigrated to the U.S. through the Bracero program. This placed him and his family in Texas and later...
Fred Callesen Jr.
Dec 17, 2020
Life-long Watsonville resident, Fred Callesen died Dec. 17, 2020, at his beloved home in rural Watsonville. He was 90 years old. Fred was the eldest son of Fred and Marie Callesen. He attended Notre Dame grammar school and graduated from Watsonville High School where he played tuba in the marching band. He graduated from Hartnell College and served in...
Miriam Villalobos
Dec 17, 2020
Miriam Villalobos passed away on December 17, 2020, at 9:30 am. She suffered from COVID, and other complications that took her life. Miriam left us too soon. This time of her transition has been very tragic and heartbreaking for everyone. We are very sad that she left us so soon.
Her sudden illness came rapidly. We are...
James Carter Sr.
Dec 16, 2020
James Phillip Carter Sr went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. He was born in Carter 9 camp outside of Shilar, Oklahoma on January 27, 1928. He graduated from Fairfax high school in Oklahoma in 1945 and then started college at Oklahoma A & M (now called Oklahoma State). He interrupted his college...
Francine Arnaz
Dec 13, 2020
On December 13, Francine Arnaz peacefully passed away. She was 74 years old.
Francine, born on April 8, 1946 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was a resident of San Jose, CA at the time she passed. She was a Watsonville High School Graduate of 1964. Francine was a Alum Rock School District retiree of 35 years. She collected...
Clara Peters
Dec 12, 2020
Long time Watsonville resident, Clara Le Peters went to be with her Lord peacefully on December 12, 2020. She was at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family. Clara was 87 years old. Clara was a devoted Christian, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and friend to many in the community. She will be dearly missed.
She was born 12/22/32 in...
Ana Maria Garcia
Dec 4, 2020
Ana Maria Garcia peacefully passed away on December 4, 2020 at the age of 74. Mrs. Garcia was born on July 24, 1946 in Mexico City; she was a Watsonville resident at the time of her passing.
Mrs. Garcia was a member of the YMCA for more than twenty years. She was also a member of Our...
Vera Hernandez
Nov 29, 2020
Vera Jane Hernandez peacefully passed away on November 29, 2020 at the age of 84. Mrs. Hernandez was born on April 19, 1936, she was a resident of Watsonville, CA.
Mrs. Hernandez is preceded in death by two of her daughters Violet and Sandy Martinez, along with her beloved husband Herman G. Hernandez.
Mrs. Hernandez...
Donald Callesen
Nov 28, 2020
Donald F. Callesen
1932 to 2020
A native of Watsonville, Don Callesen died Nov. 28, 2020, at Watsonville Hospital. He was 88 years old. Born at Watsonville Hospital, Don was the second son of Fred and Marie Callesen. He attended Notre Dame grammar school and graduated from Watsonville High School where he was a member...
John Colburn
Nov 27, 2020
John Colburn peacefully passed away on November 27 with his daughter, Penney, at his side. He was 89.
Mr. Colburn was born on December 17, 1930 in Arkansas. At the age of 18, John and his buddy hitchhiked from Arkansas to California where John has resided ever since.
Mr. Colburn is preceded in death by...
Nellie Garcia
Nov 25, 2020
Nellie Garcia peacefully passed away on November 25 at the age of 106.
Ms. Garcia was born on October 3, 1914 in Madera, CA. She moved to Watsonville in her early 30’s where she spent the rest of her years. She loved going to parties and weddings because one of her favorite things to do was dance. ...
Demetrio Hernandez
Nov 23, 2020
Demetrio Rodriguez Hernandez went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2020 at the age of 95.
He was born on December 22, 1924 in Estanzuela, Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico to Alejandro and Luisa Hernandez. In 1964, he settled in Watsonville with his wife Cristina where they raised their children.
Prior to settling in...
Amparito Flores
Nov 19, 2020
Amparito Flores peacefully passed away in Watsonville, California on November 19, at the age of 100.
Ms. Flores was born on October 30, 1920 and was a native of El Salvador. She was a devoted Christian and one of the founding members of a church in El Salvador. She loved spending time with her family.
...
Linda Contreras
Nov 19, 2020
Linda Contreras peacefully passed away on November 19, 2020. She was 69 and was born November 1, 1951 and was a resident of Moss Landing, California.
She was preceded in death by her two sons David and Daniel, and by her parents Nielson and Willadean Graves.
She is survived by her beloved husband Jesse N....
