Edmundo Pedraza Montes de Oca

Marcel Proust

Edmundo Pedraza Montes de Oca was born on April 30, 1924 in Mexico City. He was raised by his mother Betzabe Montes de Oca and extended family in Angangeo, Michoacán, Mexico. Unfortunately, Edmundo’s father Roberto Tomas Pedraza died before he was born. On the family farm

Edmundo grew up surrounded by an ideal country setting. Although his family made their living from distributing dairy products, they bestowed upon him the love of reading with a well stocked library. Edmundo left as a young man to Tijuana seeking to make his own way in life. There he met the love of his life, Maria de Jesus Quintanar (Chuy). They married in August 1946. On that day he wore a suit that he designed and tailored himself. Together they had four children; Aide, Roberto (Bobby), Betzabe Lelu), and Oscar (Pirri).

Edmundo enjoyed a varied field of employment. In his home town he started off as a miner then learned the craft of a tailor. When he moved to Tijuana, he opened his own shop, Sastreria London. He found the nightlife of Tijuana more to his liking and soon became and a waiter, and bartender. Eventually he opened his own bar and night club, the famous SAVOY club. He retired as a bartender and then later as an elected union leader for the hotel and restaurant industry.

Edmundo was a man of many interests and talents. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, music, camping, bullfighting, baseball, boxing, painting, reading, cooking and was champion arm wrestler. He passed away on October 19, 2011 surrounded by his family in Chula Vista, California. He is survived by his children Aide Horta, Betzabe Pedraza, Oscar Pedraza, ten grandchildren, and six great grand children. He filled the lives of his family with the joy and passion he had for life. His ashes will be returned to nature, the place where he felt most at peace.