Armando Gonzalez Redondo

Armando Redondo never backed down from a fight and never held back showing love throughout his long, blessed life. He died doing both while gracefully ending his battle with a serious illness, surrounded by his family, at his Fresno home on April 27, 2021. He was 78 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Hilda Lopez Redondo and his five children, daughter Capri Redondo and son's Marc Redondo, Mitchell Redondo, Marcel Ramirez and William Ramirez.

He is also survived by his sister’s Mary Ellen Chavez and Ruth Redondo and brother’s Frank Redondo and Gabriel Redondo. He has 9 grand children and 4 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Armando in death are his parents, José and Lucia Redondo, sister Lillian Redondo and nephew Frank Redondo Jr.

Armando was born on May 12, 1942 in Merced, California and grew up in the City of Planada. He graduated from Le Grand High School, where he excelled on the basketball court. As a freshman, he shot up six inches, settling in at 6-foot-3 and getting a call-up to the varsity team. He played varsity all four years, leading the league in scoring and rebounding his final three years. He was the league MVP as a junior and senior, and a second-team pick for the All-Northern California team as a senior.

He played at Fresno City College after graduation and for years at rec leagues throughout Fresno County before he transitioned to a second act on the handball court. Passionate about the sport of handball, he built a program from the ground up calling his organization the Fresno Junior Handball Club.

For nearly 10 years , during his handball days, Armando recruited, coached and helped sponsor a youth handball team, made up of disadvantaged kids who had never heard of handball, that competed throughout the state. He loved sports and knew athletics could give kids structure, teach them how to commit to a goal and then work hard to achieve it. He always felt so uplifted witnessing those athletes get their first taste of success. After his time at Fresno City College, Armando worked for several years in HVAC and sheet metal fabrication before going back to school to make a better life for his young family.

Armando attended California State University, Fresno where he earned a BA in Criminal Justice. He went on to pursue a career in law enforcement as a Probation Officer stationed in Madera, Marin and Fresno county. He was later hired by the State of California Department of Corrections as a Parole Agent and after a long and successful career, he retired in 2000. Armando loved a good backyard, beach, mountainside or tailgate barbecue. Any excuse to have a cold beer and spend time with family or friends was his idea of a good time. He also loved sports and was a life long Oakland Raiders and Golden State Warriors fan. He enjoyed spending many weekends attending and watching sports with his family.

Armando and Hilda also spent most of their retirement years traveling to many parts of Europe, and anywhere they could in the United States. They took annual months-long trips to Mexico, more specifically Puerto Vallarta, where they had a condo and enjoyed spending time with close friends they met over the years. Armando made and kept friends easily. For the past 40 years, he has gotten together with many co-workers and buddies from different walks of life. They meet for coffee almost every weekday at different spots around Fresno. He talked about the coffee crew recently and marveled at how long they have been getting together. He would hate it if his friends stopped now that he’s gone.

CHILDREN PERSONAL FEELINGS;

Everyone who knew our dad knew he was someone they could call on if they ever needed a helping hand. He was fiercely loyal to those he loved and placed great value on family and his friendships. It would make him so proud if we honored him by serving others as he did. Dad was a great man, friend and father. His passing is a huge loss for our family. He will be forever loved and missed.

Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 10:00 am.