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Jose Antonio Martinez-Mejia
Jose Antonio Martinez, 59, of Sunnyside passed away peacefully on Friday, July 9th 2010 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 18, 1950 in Acambaro Guanajuato, Mexico to Tomas and Estela Martinez-Mejia.
He married the love of his life Margarita Martinez-Rodriguez in November of 1973.
In his younger years in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico, he successfully obtained multiple executive positions in multiple companies such as Coca Cola, Lays, Larin, 7up, and Corona without ever obtaining an educational degree.
In 1985 he came to the U.S. in pursuit of a more successful future for him and his family. Upon arriving to the Valley, he found employment at several orchards as a supervisor for a group of workers. After having established a comfortable foundation for his family to later join him, in the pursue of better future.
Jose always had a dream of owning his own business. So in 1989 he was able to make his dream come true. Jose with his own creativity and know-how was able to convert a simple travel trailer into a small taco stand, which he parked in front of a carpet and paint store on Yakima Valley Highway in Sunnyside.
Thus becoming the first taco stand established in the Lower Yakima Valley. Due to the family's hard work of creating an authentic Mexican flavor and friendly customer service, the business rapidly grew. Due to the high success of the business the family was able to purchase a more functional taco truck. In order to meet the high customer demand, Jose then began multiple taco trucks. During this time Jose became very well known in the City of Sunnyside and surrounding areas.
Amis the great demand of the business he still made it a priority to take care and look after his loving wife and hard working children. He became proprietor of the Establishment on 809 Yakima Valley Highway in the late 1990's, which later converted to Ricos Tacos Guadalajara Family Restaurant. He also Opened Tony's Body Shop which serviced farm tractors and machinery as well as auto detailing.
Jose was always a handyman at heart, always finding new solutions to any obstacles his family encountered. He enjoyed taking his children and grandkids to parks, lakes and rivers for fun. He also enjoyed talking to his friends through the CB radio, and cheering for his favorite soccer team (Las Chivas de Guadalajara). He was passionate about taking care of his home in which he raised goats, chickens, quails and a goose.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Margarita Martinez Rodriguez; his children, Saul Martinez, Blanca Martinez-Asher, Rosario (Chayito) Martinez-Perez, Juan Antonio Martinez, Eden Israel Martinez, Margarita Gabriela Martinez-Portillo, Lucero Martinez and Ivan Alexis Martinez;.15 grandchildren; four siblings, Tomas Alejandro Martinez, Pedro Martinez, Estela Martinez and Jorge Martinez; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Estella Martinez-Mejia; and one sister, Esperanza Martinez. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all who knew him.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 16, 2010, at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sunnyside.
At Mr. Martinez's request he was cremated. His ashes will be present at service. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements.
Vernon L. Alexander
Vernon L. Alexander, 93 of Yakima, passed away Friday. He was born Feb. 25, 1917 in Davenport, WA.
Vernon attended Broadway Grade School and Yakima High School. He worked at Wikstrom Motors as a mechanic and tune-up man, working on Buicks and Cadillacs for 44 years from 1937 until 1981. There, he met Evelyn Jarnecke (also employed by Wikstrom’s). They were married Feb. 14, 1947.
Vernon enjoyed outdoor activities: hunting and fishing both here and in Canada; three-wheeling; snowmobiling; water-skiing; and racing boats and cars (Buicks, of course). He attended Grace Brethren Church for many years, and the last several years attended the Grace Bible Church.
He enjoyed children, although he had none of his own.
We wish to thanks the girls at Cedar Hills, especially Sue and CiCi for their loving care.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; and his nieces JoAnne Pilon and Janis Lahti; and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Otis C. & Jennie (Colvard) Alexander; sisters, Levaun Losey and Mary Musgrove; and brothers, Frank, Clifton and Dean.
I lieu of flowers memorials are be sent to one’s favorite charity or the Union Gospel Mission.
Viewing will be held Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Yakima Chapel of Valley Hills Funeral Home. Graveside Services will be held at 1 p.m. at Terrace Heights Memorial Park with Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima.
Michael Madison Curry
Michael Madison Curry, age 60, of Yakima, passed away on July 8, 2010 in Yakima. He was born on November 22, 1949. Mr. Curry served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Curry is survived by his son Daniel Curry of Tenino, WA. Inurnment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date.
Garnet “Pat” Hamilton
Garnet “Pat” Hamilton, age 98, of Yakima, passed away on July 7, 2010. He was born in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. Mr. Hamilton had worked as an equipment operator. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Lodge, Eagles and the Teamsters Union.
He is survived by his sons Michael and Patrick Hamilton; daughters Lola Doolin, Fredine Burney and Wanda Collins, and her sister Ruth Chennault, and by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Jack Emil Ubelaker
Jack Emil Ubelaker passed away on July 3, 2010 after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jack was born on November 30, 1941 to his parents, May and Emil Ubelaker in Yakima, Washington.
He was the youngest sibling, born after five sisters: Iris, Shirley, Frances, Patricia and Molly.
After nine years in Moxee, Washington, his family relocated to Union Gap where he finished school and later graduated from Eisenhower High School.
Jack worked for Bennet Olsen at the Chevron station in Union Gap.
During this time he joined the National Guard where he served as a mechanic and truck driver.
He also met the owners niece, Patricia Merz. They were later married on December 17, 1966.
Jack and Pat had always shared a passion for an Alaskan adventure.
In 1970 they moved to Nome, Alaska. Jack worked for the Alaska State Department of Transportation.
He and Pat welcomed their first two sons into the world while in Nome, and shortly thereafter moved back home to Washington. Their third son was born a year later, and the family moved to their current home in Moxee, where they‘ve lived for 32 years. Jack spent twenty years working for the Washington State Department of Transportation, retiring in 2003, after which he and Pat made one more commemorative trip to their beloved Alaska. Soon after, they purchased a motor home and traveled far and wide, including the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Jack and Pat celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on December 17, 2009.
Jack is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their three sons Michael George (Jennifer), Brian Emil (Dawn), and Nathan Frederick (Cathy), and his grandson Little Jack.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the McAllister Air Museum.
There will be a gathering at the family home following a private graveside on Friday, July 11, after 1:00pm.
Cheers-- to a wonderful father, a loving husband, and a faithful friend.
Valley Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
