Thomas "Tom" Valerio Mendoza

Thomas Valerio Mendoza passed away peacefully on November 16th at his home in Sunnyside, Washington.  He was born in Fashing, Texas on October 28th, 1940 to Genoveva and Inez Mendoza.  Tom grew up in Mathis, Texas attending school in his early years and working various field jobs, specifically picking cotton. He eventually moved to Milton-Freewater to live with relatives and continue fieldwork.  While in the Milton-Freewater and Walla Walla area, Thomas met and married Guadalupe Palomarez on October 13th, 1963.  Tom completed his GED and attended Walla Walla Community College to learn the trade of typewriter repair.  In 1967, he moved his family to Spokane to work for ABC Office Equipment to repair typewriters. Being a typewriter repairman was his occupation for 25 plus years working up and down the Yakima Valley to the Tri-cities repairing and selling typewriters.  While living in Spokane, Bernice Noah a member of the Church of Christ, knocked on his door and talked to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thomas became a Christian in 1968 and moved his family to the area around Lubbock, Texas where he attended the Sunset School of Preaching with the intent of bringing the good news to the Spanish speaking community.  Thomas loved the Lord and served him to the best of his ability and preached at various Churches of Christ from Yakima to Walla Walla while owning and operating a typewriter repair shop in Sunnyside and Richland.

He is preceded in death by his father Inez, Mother Genoveva, brothers, Robert, Raul, Inez, and Jesse.

He is survived by his wife Lupe Mendoza, sister Angie Lerma, four children and their families; son David, his wife Olivia, their children Janelle, Jacob, and Jolissa (great grandchildren Isabella and Isla); son Danny, his wife Shannon, their children Sarah, Hannah, and Joshua; daughter Dina, husband Nate, their children Ehren, Quinntel, and Gabrielle (great granddaughter – Elsy); son Donny, his wife Kari, their children Allison, and Hailee.

He was an avid fisherman, gardener, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He had a love of food, especially sweets, specifically pecan pie.  He loved sitting under his walnut trees and enjoying the activities of the day caring for his garden and home.  He always had a cooler in the trunk of his car that always contained sodas and food and was ready to share whatever he had with his family and friends. 

No Formal Funeral Services will be held. Those wishing to sign Tom’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smtih Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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