Oseas R Mendoza

Oseas Robles Mendoza passed away on January 29, 2022 at his home in Victorville, California surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rachel Lasta Malalis Mendoza of Victorville, CA and his two sons, Oliver “Sonny” Mendoza of Victorville, CA and Orville “Bong-Bong” Mendoza (with partner of 23 years, Brian Myers Cooper) of New York, NY.

He is also survived by five siblings: Naomi Mendoza Macalintal (husband Rudy, children Merly Bathan, Alvin, and Rudney) of Loma Linda, CA; Elias Mendoza (wife Elizabeth, children Lillibeth Beltran and Robin Voisin) of Loma Linda, CA; Esequias Mendoza (wife Nenita, children Jun, JR, and Jessica) of Loma Linda, CA; Obadiah Mendoza (wife Carmelita, children Lovely, Loverne, Cherish, and Charming) of Loma Linda, CA; Herminia Mendoza Bernardo (husband Virgilio, children Abigail Guffey and Amverlee Kirsch) of Victorville, CA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Venancio & Claudia Mendoza, and two sisters: Myrna Dayo (husband Ramon, children Ramil, Miralyn, Myrile, Mirmalyn, and Marvelous), and Felicisima Salazar (husband Mario, children Ronnie, Nenette, and Jaiden).

Oseas was born in Batangas, Philippines on November 16, 1938. He immigrated to the US with his family in 1972 where they eventually became naturalized US Citizens. He and Rachel were High Desert residents for over 50 years.

Oseas completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from Philippine Union College and earned a Master’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Beginning his 32 year career as a Medical Technologist, he worked for Manila Sanitarium and Hospital in the Philippines. After relocating to Barstow and then Victorville, CA, he worked as a Med Tech for Barstow Community Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, and Victor Valley Community Hospital where he would eventually became the Laboratory Director.

He was an avid and highly skilled amateur tennis player and golfer winning many local tournaments in the High Desert and the Inland Empire. He loved to take frequent deep-sea fishing trips, and when his sons were younger, the family would take semi-annual camping trips to the National Parks along the western side of the US and Canada. He had a beautiful singing voice and was an excellent self-taught guitarist. He sang frequently in church as a soloist, with the church choir, and with the Filipino Family Singers.

He and Rachel were long-time members of the Victorville Seventh-Day Adventist Church where they are also ordained Elders. As a baptized Seventh-Day Adventist from when he was young, he had a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ and lived his life as an example for Him, always kind and welcoming of others, readily willing to share the story of God’s love, lending a helping hand to those less fortunate or in need. Sabbath afternoons, he would frequently share his gift of music singing hymns and sharing worship with the elderly at the local nursing home. Camping and water-ski trips with the church youth group or Pathfinders were always a highlight and joy for him.

As the eldest son in his family, Oseas, affectionately known as “Ose” or “Osing,” made it his priority to help bring his extended family over from the Philippines. His home was always open to newly arrived relatives until they could establish their own lives in America. He was a loving son, brother, cousin, uncle, father, and beloved grandfather-figure whose memory and legacy will continue to live on in his family and the many, many friends and co-workers his life has touched.