Jose Ozuna

04/30/1925-06/04/2013

Jose Manuel Ozuna son of Margarita Ozuna and Julian Valenzuela was born on April 30, 1925 in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. After his mother died on 1929 he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Antonio and Elodia Ozuna. He grew up with his aunts Ramona, Francisca, Cresencia, Carmen, Elodia, Virginia, Margarita, uncles Antonio and Vicente. His family was so poor that as a child, he had to work barefoot in the snow selling menudo in order to help with the household expenses. He was a very bright young boy so he also made time to attend school. He could not afford the text books, so his friends would let him borrow theirs. He was able to complete the 8th grade.

He loved swimming, reading and playing baseball. Since he couldn't afford to buy shoes too often, he would take them off to play so they wouldn't get ruined. He had limited schooling but he was so good with numbers that in 1943 he worked for the copper mine's administrative department.

That same year he played catcher with the local baseball team, “Diablos” Some of his team mates included his uncle Vicente Ozuna, friend Mario Cuen and Carlos Peña, who would later become his brother-in-law.

In 1947, he married Ernestina Peña Rodriguez. In 1948, they welcomed their first child Guadalupe. He knew that there was a very limited amount of employers in the town so he decided to move away to provide a better life for his growing family. After learning that his wife was expecting another child, they left Cananea. Traveling northwest in the fall of 1949, they made several stops along the way. Spending 3 months in San Luis Rio Colorado, 6 months in Algodones, a quick stop in Tecate. Finally, arriving in Tijuana, B.C in May 1950, where they would welcome their second child. There they lived in a shack that lacked heating. The cold winter of 1950 claimed their second child. In Tijuana, he settled for many years and had many children Luis Alfonso, Jose, Carmen, Armando, Manuel, Margarita and Maria Elena. There he worked several jobs to make ends meet. He worked in a gas station, construction and at Motores de Tijuana.

In 1959, he was able to obtain his green card, dropping his middle name. He would then begin to work at Ratner Textiles, a suit making company. He worked as a presser for 30 years. He would work in the U.S and then travel back home to Tijuana on a daily basis until 1972 when he purchased his home and moved the family to San Diego.

After retiring in 1990, Jose and his wife would enjoy visiting family in Los Angeles, Sebastopol, Sonora and Tijuana. Their mini get-a-way vacations to Ensenada, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas. Their most memorable trip to El Grullo, Guadalajara where friends welcomed them like family. Jose enjoyed spending time with his ever growing family. Christmas was his favorite holiday and birthdays were dear to him because it would guarantee a slice of cake and with some luck, ice cream too. He had an incredible sense of humor and he was a great story teller.

He passed away peacefully on June 4, 2013 just weeks after celebrating his 88th birthday. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Ernestina Ozuna Peña, 8 children, 24 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jose Ozuna

04/30/1925 al 06/04/13

Jose Manuel Ozuna hijo de Margarita Ozuna Leal y Julian Valenzuela nacio un 30 de Abril de 1925. Al morir su madre en 1929, Jose seria criado por sus abuelos maternos Antonio y Elodia Ozuna. Crecio junto a sus tias Ramona, Francisca, Cresencia, Carmen, Elodia, Virginia, Margarita y sus tios Antonio y Vicente. Su familia fue tan pobre que de niño, trabajo vendiendo menudo para ayudar con los gastos de la casa. Fue muy inteligente y por eso se daba tiempo para ir a la escuela. Como no tenia dinero para los libros, sus amigos le prestaban los de ellos. Asi pudo terminar el segundo año de secundaria.

Le encantaba nadar, leer y jugar beisbol. Como no le compraban zapatos seguido, el se los quitaba para jugar asi no se los gastaba. Tuvo poca escuela pero era tan bueno con los numeros que en 1943 le ofrecieron un trabajo en el departamento administrativo de la mina.

Ese mismo año comenzo como catcher del equipo de beisbol del pueblo, “Diablos”. Algunos de sus compañeros de equipo eran su tio Vicente, su amigo Mario Cuen y Carlos Peña, quien despues se convertiria en su cuñado.

En 1947, se caso con Ernestina Peña Rodriguez. En 1948, tuvieron su primera hija Guadalupe. Como el sabia que no habia muchos trabajos en su pueblo, decidio irse para poder darle mejor vida a su nueva familia. Su viaje comenzaria al enterarse que su esposa esperaba su segundo hijo. En el otoño del 1949 se fueron hacia el norte, parando en varios lugares. Estuvieron 3 meses en San Luis Rio Colorado, 6 meses en Algodones, y unos dias en Tecate. Llegaron a Tijuana en Mayo de 1950, en donde naceria su segundo hijo Jesus. Vivieron en una casa muy humilde y sin calenton. Ese invierno fue tan frio que su bebe moriria. En Tijuana estuvieron varios años y tuvieron mas hijos Luis Alfonso, Jose, Carmen, Armando, Manuel, Margarita y Maria Elena. En Tijuana trabajo en varias cosas para mantener a su familia. Trabajo en una gasolineria, en construccion y en Motores de Tijuana.

En 1959, obtuvo su mica y en ese momento deja su segundo nombre. Comenzo a trabajar en Textiles Ratner, en donde hacian trajes para hombres. Trabajo como planchador por 30 años.Trabajaba en San Diego y se regresaba a Tijuana todos los dias hasta 1972 cuando compro su casa y se trajo a toda la familia a San Diego.

Despues de retirarse en 1990, Jose y su esposa disfrutaban irse de visita con sus familiares a Los Angeles, Sebastopol, Sonora y Tijuana. Tomaban sus mini vacasiones a Ensenada, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe y Las Vegas. Su viaje mas memorable a El Grullo, Guadalajara en donde amigos los recibieron como familia. A Jose le encantaba estar con su familia. La Navidad era su dia festivo favorito y tambien los cumpleaños porque se le garantizaba un pedazo de pastel y con poca suerte tambien le daban nieve. Tenia un gran setido del humor y le encantaba contar historias.

Murio tranquilo el 4 de Junio del 2013 solo pocas semanas despues de celebrar su cumpleaños numero 88. Lo sobrevive su amada esposa Ernestina Ozuna Peña, 8 hijos, 24 nietos y 20 bisnietos.