Albert Montejano

Albert Montejano joined his Heavenly Father on Monday, January 4, 2021, surrounded by his family after battling pancreatic cancer. He fought with his trademark tenacity, positivity, kindness, and complete faith and trust in Christ. Born November 18, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, he grew up in Hacienda Heights and graduated from Glen A. Wilson High School. He proudly worked his way through college, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and information systems from Cal State LA. He later obtained a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix.

Albert began his relationship with Christ early in life. A cross he received at the age of 12 remained with him until his final day on this earth. He was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church in 2007, ministering throughout the Central Valley from Firebaugh to Tranquility to Kerman, and up and down the Highway 99 corridor from Atwater to Fresno. He cherished his membership in the Knights of Columbus, earning the rank of Fourth Degree Knight. Albert sought to bring others closer to Christ and taught many classes in the Church.

Albert led and lived from his servant’s heart. He invested in the youth in his community as a wrestling and soccer coach and as a board member of the Challenger Learning Center for Science and Technology. He sought to improve the community he lived in as a city councilmember and mayor of Dos Palos. He comforted others in their moments of deepest need as a Chaplain with the Atwater Police Department. He even met the love of his life, Marina, when volunteering with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Albert had many interests and was insatiably curious. He drank deeply from good books. He savored a great meal. He fed his adventurous spirit with hikes, camping trips, cross-country road trips, and traveling abroad. He and Marina completed El Camino de Santiago. Albert enjoyed sharing all that life had to offer with his wife and family, often finding any excuse to take in a Dodger game together. After many years serving as a business leader across multiple companies, Albert took his family on one last great adventure when they opened two UPS Stores together.

Albert is survived by his loving wife, Marina, and their three sons, Arthur, Alejandro, and Jacobo; his father, Arthur, and siblings, Rudy, Iris, and Joseph; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, especially Dania Lopez-Wales who provided support, hope and inspiration to Albert and Marina; the dedicated and compassionate doctors and staff at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center who provided comfort and care in Albert’s final days; the deacons, clergy, and Knights of Columbus for their prayers and support including Father Manual Sousa who performed the Anointing of the Sick; the employees and clients of the UPS Stores owned by the Montejano family for their support during this difficult time; and to the numerous friends and family who supported Albert and family through texts, calls, food, and prayers. You all blessed Albert and our family more than words can express.

Albert was generous and dreamed of establishing a scholarship to help others attend college. In his honor, the family is endowing a named scholarship to benefit a student attending Fresno State. Remembrances of Albert Montejano may be made to Fresno State in support of the Bud and Jan Richter Center for Community Engagement. Checks should be made payable to the Fresno State Foundation, with the memo portion on the check indicating Richter Center-Albert Montejano.

Checks may be mailed to:

Fresno State

Advancement Services

5244 N Jackson Ave KC45

Fresno, CA 93740

Online: Fresno State - Give Now – Your Gift (imodules.com)

(1) Select "View All Giving Opportunities;" (2) Scroll down to "Other," and (3) Type in "Albert Montejano."