Theodore Joseph Vargas, a 53 year resident of Fresno, passed away peacefully on December 25th. His life journey began April 12, 1932 in Niles, California as a firstborn of three children to Alvino Francisco and Katherine Flores Vargas. His family remembers him reminiscing about working on the family farm in Mission San Jose after attending school. Those were long days for Ted.
His first employment was at a Levi Jeans Factory making $.35 an hour until he applied for his class one license and drove for R. Callie Brothers Trucking. He joined the Marine Corp Reserve at age 17 and was stationed at Moffett Field. In 1949 he married Zenie Elizabeth Dine from Hollister, California. They made their home in San Jose where they welcomed a son and two daughters. After his discharge, Westinghouse employed him before he returned to driving a truck; this time for Pozas Brothers Trucking in San Jose.
Ted began driving short hauls from Sunnyvale to San Jose and Fresno. He shared that his favorite truck to drive on long hauls from San Jose to Los Angeles was a 1953 Peterbilt High Mount Bubble Nose. His seniority allowed him to choose this truck and he described it as “the most comfortable truck I ever drove”.
In 1969 Ted Married Rita Ditzler and welcomed her two children as his own. The new family moved to Fresno, California where Ted opened a new branch of Pozas Brothers Trucking Company. As the only employee, he was the salesman, office manager, and the sole truck driver. He worked long hours to successfully build the trucking company in Fresno.
Ted retired from the trucking business in 1997 and worked for BNSF railroad for a few years transporting engineers and conductors. He spent his last years living in Clovis and filled his days reading, visiting his adult children and grandchildren, and maintaining his yard. He enjoyed Old Town Clovis and became a regular at “On The Edge” where he felt comfortable and welcome.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
He is survived by children Stephen Lyle (Cassie) Vargas, Amelia (Holan) Purifoy, Sheryl Loomis, LaDonna (Mike) Bispo, grandchildren Jim (Angie) Burklow, Jeremy (Dusty) Rice, Ted Pearce, Jason Pearce, Dean Johnston, Ryan (Savon) Vargas, Leah (Scott) Mortensen, Mikala Bispo, and Cody Bispo.
Theodore also has many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to remember him.
A Visitation for Theodore will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
A Graveside Service will occur Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Clovis Cemetery, 305 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
Serving as pallbearers are Stephen Vargas, Ryan Vargas, Michael Bispo, Cody Bispo, James Burklow and Jesse Wright.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the VARGAS family.
