Ignacio V. Resendez

Ignacio V. Resendez, a long-time resident of the area, slipped quietly into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 27 with family at his side.  

Born on May 4, 1931, in Weslaco, Texas, Ignacio (Nacho/Joe) moved to Washington state in 1951 with his parents Lazaro and Juanita Resendez and siblings. Ignacio served in the U.S. Army, and fought in the Korean War, earning several medals including a Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal and the Ambassador of Peace Medal. In 1953, he met Mary Anthony (Tonia) Marichalar, and the two began dating in 1956. They were married later that year on October 6 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They had six children and were married for 60 years until her death in 2016.  

Before retiring, Joe gained nationwide acclaim for the creation of programs for migrant families. A founding father of Migrant Education in Washington state in the late 1960s, he supported the first migrant childcare centers. In the early 1970’s, Joe helped create the first of its kind statewide records transfer system keeping track of school records for migrant students across the nation. He also started an identification and recruitment program and a health insurance program for migrant students.    

A longtime parish member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, he served many years on the church council. Joe was also active in politics. As a member of the Democratic party, he served as a delegate and volunteered throughout the years on various campaigns and recruited voters.  

To close friends and family Joe was known as Nacho. He was loving and kind through a strong exterior. To his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he was Dad, Daddy, Grandpa Nacho, Papa, and GG. He answered everyone with a broad smile, and a kiss.  

Dad enjoyed traveling with his siblings and children, visiting with friends and family along the way to share memories and a meal.  He stayed connected to all including distant relatives. He loved and cherished Maria Antonia’s cooking and gardening in their “salsa” garden where they grew all the vegetables needed to jar dozens of cases of salsa. Each year, Dad and Mom would load up their vegetables and jars of salsa and set out on a road trip to deliver them to relatives across California, Arizona, and Texas. It was our biggest treat when they would arrive with love, hugs, and salsa in hand.  

But most of all Dad loved family. He attended every family event from baptisms and communions to graduations and weddings. His presence was special. He always left us with a hug, kiss, and the sign of the cross on our foreheads to keep us safe and bless us on our life journey. He will live forever in our hearts. 

He is survived by his six children: Deborah (Debbie) and husband Ron Schrader, Juanita (Janie) and husband Chris Hernandez, Lazaro G. and wife Patty Resendez, Ignacio Jose (Joseph) Resendez Jr., Maria Elena (MaryEllen/Pebbles) and husband Craig Schwisow, and Charles Anthony (Chuck) and wife Dayna Resendez. 13 grandchildren, James Joseph Parker, Sara (Erik) Ramsey, Rachel Schrader, Jonathan (Amanda) Hernandez, Chris Hernandez, T.K. (Meghan) Resendez, Tabitha (Marcus) Resendez-Miller, Melissa Skinner, Martha (Dane) Baratta, Charles Resendez II, Maryssa (Justin Dale) Resendez, Sterling Schwisow, and Pearson Schwisow. 12 great grandchildren, siblings Jesse (Maria Elena) Resendez; Robert (Faye) Resendez; Rick (Angelita) Resendez; Mae Caballero, Lola (Robert) Webb; Camelina (Ruben) Recendez, Josefina (Jo) Resendez  and way too many nieces and nephews to count but all were loved. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two sisters and three brothers.  

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 4:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, WA. Burial with Military Honors will follow at  Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA.   Those wishing to sign Ignacio's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral home is in care of arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ignacio V. Resendez, please visit our floral store.