Samuel Pimentel

Samuel Pimentel was born on March 19, 1930 in Ticuitaco, Michoacan, Mexico, and was the third of three sons born to Martin & Teresa Pimentel. Samuel had two older brothers; Gerardo and Ventura Pimentel who helped to raise Samuel when their father Martin died. Samuel lived a simple childhood assisting his older siblings with farming and was only able to attend school up to the 2nd grade. Despite the limited educational opportunities, Samuel was an avid reader and a fluent writer. When his older brothers immigrated to the United States, Samuel also yearned to join them in order to work and send money home to his mother Teresa. At the age of fifteen, without his mother’s knowledge or consent, Samuel packed a small bag and made his journey to the United States in search of work opportunities. Although he didn’t speak English he was able to find farm work in different towns throughout California, until he was able to locate his two older brothers Gerardo and Ventura in the Central Valley. For years Samuel followed the lettuce crop harvesting in California from Salinas, Huron, Calexico and Arizona, making many long-time friends along the way. Samuel met Maria Trinidad Rosillo in 1964 at Mexicali, Baja California Norte, Mexico and they became a family in 1965. Samuel embraced Maria’s six children as his own; Blanca, Martha, Hortensia, Olga, Francisco and Maribel and extended their family with two more daughters; Lucy and Maricely. The family resided in Mexicali, Mexico while Samuel continued to follow the lettuce harvest in California and Arizona. During the summer of 1974 & 1975 Samuel took the family to Stratford, California to visit the oldest daughter and in 1976 the family immigrated to the United States and made their new home in Stratford, California. Samuel’s children adored him and saved up their summer farm work earnings to help Samuel purchase his first new vehicle, a blue and white Ford Truck. Samuel was actively involved in the United Farm Workers Union and supported Cesar Chavez’s advocacy on behalf of farm workers. In 1984, Samuel and Maria were amicably divorced and he returned to Mexicali, while Maria remained in Stratford to continue raising the younger children. Samuel continued working as a farm laborer and made regular visits to Stratford to visit the family, finally retiring after almost forty years of farm work. After Maria’s passing in December 2006, Samuel decided to move closer to family and lived with his daughters. From 2007 to the day of his passing on June 30, 2013, Samuel lived a life of absolute dedication to family. His schedule revolved around his grandchildren, driving them to and from school, taking them to soccer practice, doctor’s appointments and regular trips to McDonald’s for after school snacks. After dropping his grandchildren off at school, Samuel’s daily routine included feeding the family dog Smokey, taking a morning walk, gardening at his daughters’ houses. Samuel did not practice any sport but he enjoyed watching boxing. Although Samuel has home meals readily available to him, he yearned for the daily friendship provided by his friends at the Episcopal Church of the Savior Soup Kitchen. Samuel admired the volunteers at the Soup Kitchen and constantly told us, “They are so friendly and they treat everyone of us as if we’re royalty.” In the evenings Samuel liked to take walks, chat with his “paisanos” at the park, watch television with family and enjoyed sitting in his car listening to Spanish music and the news on the radio. Samuel joined our Heavenly Father on June 30, 2013 surrounded by his children and grandchildren who lovingly wished him a temporary farewell. Samuel’s love and legacy lives on through his 8 children, 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church; with a Mass of

Christian Burial to be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church; 10355 Hanford-Armona Road, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584-8576 and Burial following Mass at Lemoore Cemetery; 1441 N. Lemoore Avenue, Lemoore, CA 93245.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Samuel’s name to the Soup Kitchen at the Episcopal Church of the Savior; 519 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230 559-584—7706.