Nestor “Chato” B. Mendoza, surrounded by his beloved family, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Van
Nestor Mendoza
Horn. He was 82.
Chato was born April 28, 1934 in Pilares, Chihuahua, Mexico to Viviano and Tomasa Mendoza. Chato married the love of his life, Otila, July 19, 1959 and they spent 56 wonderful years together raising a family and making a life for them, which included Chato building his family home.
Chato was owner of Otis Café in Van Horn for 11 years. The job that was most near and dear to him was being a fruit truck driver in Van Horn in which he earned the nickname “Chato.” He loved handing out fruit to everyone that he came in contact with. He enjoyed meeting new people and befriending them.
Chato loved to tell jokes and loved being the “George Burns” of his family and friends. His favorite NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys in which he and Otila enjoyed cheering them on game day. Nestor was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in which he was also a member of the morning choir. Chato loved to raise his voice in worship to Jesus Christ his personal Lord and Savior, thus instilling a love of God to his children, grandchildren and all who knew Chato.
Chato was always available to give his family advice, there was never a time that his family and friends could not go to him with a problem, and he was not able to offer his aged advice and wisdom to them. Further, he taught his family to be very generous and helpful to all that ever needed it. Through this Chato displayed the Love of Christ the same as Christ did.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Otila; his son, Nestor B. Mendoza Jr. of Sierra Blanca; his daughters, Martha Martinez of Panhandle, Bilma Molina and Linda Hillin and husband Lonnie Hillin of Van Horn, and Tomasa Gonzales of El Paso; his brothers, Julio Mendoza of Presidio, Ismael Mendoza of Van Horn, Eliseo Mendoza of El Paso; his sisters, Maria Penà of Chaparral, New Mexico, and Adella Lujan of Lovington, New Mexico; also 19 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces , nephews, and wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Viviano and Tomasa Mendoza.
Visitation was Friday, May 27 at Heritage Funeral Home in Van Horn. The Rosary was the evening of Friday, May 27 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Van Horn with Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 28 at the church with Father Saul officiating. Burial was in the Van Horn Cemetery with a meal following at the Van Horn Convention Center.
Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn is in charge of arrangements, and online condolences may be made at: www.pecosfuneralhome.com.
