Baltazar N Sandoval

The world became brighter on January 3rd, 1947, when Baltazar was born in Tingüindín, Michoacán, Mexico. He was the first born to Carmen Sandoval and was raised by his grandmother, Maura Sandoval. His family instilled a strong work ethic in him from a young age that he carried throughout his life. When he was 17, he left Michoacán and moved to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua where he lived for a few years before moving to the United States.

When he first moved to the United States, he was a migrant farm worker and would travel between California, Oregon, and Washington to harvest various produce. He then settled in Riverside, California where he resided for over 50 years. He began working at Las Plumas Lumber where he worked for over 40 years. When he first came to Riverside, Baltazar lived with his Tio Juan and then with his Primo Eli before meeting the love of his life, Armida Mares. Armida loved his personality and enjoyed his humor. Baltazar and Armida were married on May 24, 1975.

Baltazar and Armida welcomed their first born, Baltazar Gilbert Sandoval, on February 4th, 1978. Their second child, Sarah Renee Sandoval, was born on October 2nd, 1983. Baltazar’s children were the joy of his life. He was a kind, loving, and supportive father who would do anything for his children. In 1994, the young family moved into their very own home where Baltazar developed his garden and started to plant numerous fruit trees. He was a handy man that could fix anything around the house. He had a love for woodworking and built trusses that he then used to build the covered patios around the house. He built an addition onto the house and several additional storage rooms outside the house.

Baltazar was extremely passionate about his plants, and he was known for having a green thumb. He experimented with grafting and mixing fruit varieties. He enjoyed sharing his fruit and plants with loved ones and friends just as much as he loved to grow them. He even planted guamuchile trees, cilantro, chamomile, and other plants outside of his yard where neighbors and people walking by could help themselves. Random people walking by would stop and ask for fruit from his trees and he would invite them in to help themselves.

Baltazar loved to talk, tell jokes, laugh, and tell stories. He knew no stranger. He would talk to anyone who walked by on the sidewalk outside of his house, at stores, restaurants and anywhere he went. Baltazar combined his love of family and talking by calling all of his family regularly to keep in contact and to catch up with everyone. Later in life when walking became difficult, Baltazar would ride around the neighborhood in an electric mobility chair. He would make his rounds around the neighborhood talking to everyone along the way. When greeted and asked how he was doing, Baltazar would always reply,” Not too good… Not too bad.” He always had some sort of joke, phrase, or double meaning comeback to catch you off guard. He loved to share stories of his adventures and his fond memories of Michoacán. He returned to visit multiple times over the years and planned to visit again.

He had a big heart and welcomed many people into their home to stay with them over the years. He would share anything he had and always provided for his family and anyone that needed help.

Baltazar was a devoted family man that loved his family more than anything. He worked hard his whole life to provide a great life for them. His children were the joy of his life, and he adored his grandchildren, who brought an abundance of happiness to his life.

Baltazar will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Armida; his two loving children, son Balta and wife Karla Sandoval, daughter Sarah and husband Hector “Chino” Sandoval Baez; and his 4 cherished grandchildren, Tiger, Tommy, Sergio, and Emma.

Family and friends are invited to join us in celebrating the life of Baltazar Nava Sandoval. The Viewing will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 9:00 am - 10:00 am. The Graveside Service will then follow from 10:30 am - 11:00 am, all to take place at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3530 E. Washington Street, Colton, CA, 92324. A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Bordwell Park Community Center, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd, Riverside, CA 92507.