Pedro "Pedrito" Maldonado II

Pedrito was born on a warm and sunny Monday morning on October 26, 1998 in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He was only son of Noemi Lomas and Pedro Maldonado. Pedrito spent his first eight months of his life living with his parents in Miami, Florida before moving to Ceres, California where he was raised by his mother. Pedrito was a very happy child. He was easy to care for from birth and throughout his life.

Upon his arrival to California he began to spend more time with his maternal grandparents, Adrian and Eva Lomas and aunts, uncle and cousins. His first friends were his two older cousins, Dylan and Jasmine. They would often play and fight when they gathered at their grandparents' house. They made many memories together that will be cherished for a lifetime.

In his early years Pedrito began school in Modesto and eventually attended Ceres schools. Ultimately, graduating from Ceres High School in 2017. Pedrito loved attending school to see and play/socialize with his friends. Pedrito’s teachers would often describe him as being a sweet, polite young man sometimes too friendly he’d get distracted from academics. He befriended many of his classmates throughout his school years and developed lifelong friendships.

Pedrito began playing T-ball at age five and continued to play baseball for a few years at Bel Passi and at Costa fields in Ceres. He also played basketball at the YMCA and soccer for both Ceres and Modesto Youth Soccer. During his time at Mae Hensley Junior High he participated in wrestling. While at Ceres High School he was on the Cross Country team during his freshman and sophomore years.

From about age ten Pedrito began deer hunting with his grandpa, Tio Mando and Dylan. This experience sparked his interest in what later developed to be his love for firearms and anything tactical. Pedrito spent a lot of time with his grandpa and was taught many things such as completing an oil change in vehicles, mowing the lawn, and many other things like making carnitas.

Pedrito being his mother’s only child, a strong bond developed since early childhood that lasted his entire lifetime. Many of the cherished memories include, having sushi often, going to the movies, watching crime shows together, visiting Oahu/ multiple vacation locations in Mexico, bike riding, playing badminton, and cooking Pedrito some of his favorite meals.

As the independent and brave young man Pedrito would later become. He began traveling to visit his father in Miami as unaccompanied minor at age of eight. Pedrito would often initiate conversations with his fellow passengers and talk to them about random things. He once shared with his mother he asked his neighbor passenger what would happen if the plane suddenly exploded. This was just one example of Pedrito’s charismatic personality. Those who knew him can attest to this being one his most valued traits.

Pedrito was blessed to have two fathers in his life, Pedro and Herlindo. Herlindo came into Pedrito’s life just shy of his twelfth birthday. They quickly became friends and later developed a father and son relationship. Herlindo began participating in Pedrito’s sports and became assistant coach of his soccer team. They would also go to the golf range and play golf, watch auto restoration and home improvement shows. Herlindo taught Pedrito how to install laminate flooring, wall tile work, build the backyard patio cover just to name a few. They watched sporting event playoffs, shared gun, car/truck interests. They loved to try new BBQ recipes and techniques on the smoker. Pedrito looked to Herlindo for guidance from a male perspective. Herlindo loved Pedrito as his own son, he played an invaluable role in Pedrito’s care especially in the last year of his life.

During his latter years at Ceres High School Pedrito enrolled in Criminal Justice class. The course initiated an interest in law enforcement. Pedrito applied and eventually became a police explorer with Modesto Police Department. He served in the post as an explorer and promoted to Explorer Sergeant from 2017 through 2018 before resigning to join the Air Force. Pedrito joined the Air Force in May 2018 where he graduated from basic training in July 2018 and went on to complete tech school in November 2018.

Pedrito served in the Air Force in Security Forces career field he went on to be stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. Both during his time as an Explorer and Airman he developed strong friendships that became brotherhoods among the two different groups. During the last days before his passing, Pedrito’s military and civilian brothers demonstrated how loved Pedrito was.

Although, Pedrito was only on this earth for twenty-three years his life made an impact on many people. Pedrito was a very dedicated and determined young man he accomplished many of his goals in this short time. He is survived by his parents Noemi Lomas and Herlindo Manriquez, Pedro and Annette Maldonado and siblings. He is also survived by his maternal great-grandmother and grandparents and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Pedrito you will be extremely missed and forever 23 years old. Aim High Fly-Fight-win Baby Boy!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakewoodHughson.com for the Maldonado family.