Guadalupe Villarreal

November 5, 1934 - March 2, 2017 Guadalupe Villarreal Sr., age 82 died on March 2, 2017 surrounded by his loving family in Hughson, California. Lupe was born in 1934 in Rio Grande City, Texas to Didaco and Rafaela (Guerrero) Villarreal. He was the third of ten children.

Lupe married his high school sweetheart, the former Leonor Herrera in 1953. They celebrated the birth of their first child, a son in 1954. Their second child, a daughter soon followed in 1955. They moved to California in 1957 where they welcomed their third child, a son. They settled in Hughson, California where Lupe and Leonor lived for the next 60 years.

Lupe worked for Brizendine Concrete as a truck driver from 1960-1971. He loved being a truck driver and soon knew all the short cuts in Stanislaus County and surrounding areas.

His passion for farming led him to buy his first 10 acres of land in 1968. He continued farming, buying and leasing farm land. At the height of his career, he farmed over 300 acres. He was interviewed and featured in the "O California!" Social Studies textbook. Lupe completely forgot about it until his grandson Heath came home from school and showed "Pops" his textbook. We were all very excited and proud of our Pops. He retired from farming in 1999. Lupe then began his third career as a Field Man for Del Monte Foods. He loved driving around in his truck and visiting the farmers. He retired in 2009.

Lupe loved tending to his roses, lawn and vegetable garden. He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church for 60 years and a member of various farm related organizations.

Lupe is survived by his wife of 63 years, Leonor of Hughson, CA, his children Guadalupe (Ruth) Villarreal of Denair, CA, Sonia (Lynn) Hill of Stockton, CA and Gus (Pamela) Villarreal of Hughson, CA, nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, his siblings Rebecca (Oliveros) Sanchez of Alamo, TX, Amada (Eduardo) Saenz of Edinburgh, TX, Maria (Gilberto) Saenz of Donna, TX, and Dora Villarreal of Edinburg, TX. Lupe was preceded in death by his parents, Didaco and Rafaela Villarreal, his siblings Zeferino Villarreal, Paula Hernandez, Roberto Villarreal, Bertha Saenz and Gregoria Davila.

A few years after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, Lupe was asked what he would like people to remember about him. He was quiet for a moment then he said "I want people to remember how hard I worked to provide for my family, how much I loved my wife and family and that everything I did I did for them."

Funeral arrangements: The viewing will take place at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 4 PM – 8 PM, with the Rosary beginning at 6 PM. A mass of Christian burial will be held the following day, Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 10 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hughson, CA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3900, Sacramento, CA 95817 or Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.