Jesus J. Franco

Feb. 11, 1929 - April 1, 2016

Jesus “POPS” Franco passed away at the age of 87 surrounded by his family in Stockton, Ca. He is preceded in death by his parents (Isidro and Juana Franco) and siblings (Salvador, Cleotilde and Severiano). Pops is survived by his wife of 53 years, Aurora, children Martina (Gilbert) Quinones, Oralia (Genaro) Montanez, Samuel (Jennifer) Franco, Griselda (Fred) Mier, Carlos (Fabiola) Franco, Jesse (Cathy) Franco, grandchildren Carina, Clarisa, Bridgette, Geno, Robert, Ivan, Isaac, Sammy, Kayla, Alexa, Jesus III and 6 great grandchildren. His brother Guadalupe Franco, sister in law Lupe Jimenez and several nephews.

Pops was 16 when he first came to the U.S. and for the next 19 years Pops would come and go from the US to his hometown of Tepatitlan, Jalisco until he married Aurora in the chapel of La Capilla de Guadalupe. For the next 52 years the Franco’s made their home in the Linden/Stockton area, where he did agriculture work before becoming employed and retiring from Union Pacific Railroad after 25 years.

Pops never truly retired, he was an ardent worker never taking a day off from his passion of gardening, and handyman work. His strong work ethic is something he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Pops loved to walk and he was a commonly seen strolling through the Plaza de Armas in Tepatitlan or on the sidewalks of his Stockton neighborhood.

Pops considered his greatest treasure his family and looked forward to seeing his entire family gather for any occasion. His wisdom, gentle manner and quiet, kind demeanor will forever be remembered by family and those fortunate enough to have known the Franco Family Patriarch.

A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Thursday April 7th, at De Young Memorial Chapel 601 N. California St., visitation from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday April 8th at St. Edwards Catholic Church 731 S. Cardinal Ave, Stockton CA. Burial to follow at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery 719 East Harding Way.

Arrangements under the direction of De Young Memorial Chapel, STOCKTON, CA.