Michael (Mike) Jimenez was born May 8, 1931 in Oelwein, Iowa to a loving family: parents Maria Koletis Jimenez and Emeterio Jimenez, sister Julia Jimenez De Alva, and brother Manuel Jimenez. In 1943, when he was 12, his family moved to Roseville, California. He graduated from Roseville High School and Sacramento City College. In June, 1951 he joined the Air Force and served for four years during the Korean War. He married Mary Crespillo in December, 1951. They had five children, Michael, David (Tony Lucas), Susan (Ken Jimenez-Anderson) Steven, and Juliana. After his discharge from the military he continued his education at Cal Poly. He worked at Aerojet and McClellan Air Force Base until his retirement. In 1986 he married Carmen Gavia of Loomis, Ca. They were married for 34 years and lived in Sacramento, Saudi Arabia, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, finally returning to Roseville, the area where their ten children lived.
Mike loved his family and his Catholic faith. He was active in the Knights of Columbus at Holy Family Parish in Citrus Heights reaching the title of Grand Knight. For much of his life he practiced that faith at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Roseville. Mike taught his children about God, to be honest, truthful, fair, polite, and to work hard. He taught them to treat others the way you would want to be treated and showed them that helping others in need is worthwhile because we are all alike... just some are more fortunate than others. That belief led him and Carmen to work on houses for the less fortunate with Jimmy Carter’s Habitat for Humanity in Mexico and Detroit, MI. Both Mike and Carmen were grateful for the bounty that was given them and were always willing to share.
Mike took pride in the accomplishments of all his loved ones. Marriages, births, birthdays, graduations, good jobs attained, and businesses created, all were causes for celebration and bragging-rights. But nothing was more warmly beheld than to see a grandchild or a great-grandchild climb up on his lap and gaze into his soft brown eyes, and cuddle into his warm embrace.
Mike loved to travel. His last work assignment at McClellan took him and his wife Carmen to Saudi Arabia. Upon retirement they continued traveling throughout the world. When they finally returned to California, they continued their travels by sea and river cruises. In the course of their travels they visited 45 countries. Mike and Carmen were San Francisco Giants fans and also travelled to games in other states. Mike was also a San Francisco 49er fan and he and Carmen had season tickets for over 20 years. Even last year when his illness started to take a toll, he would still search the travel sites looking for the next place to visit and explore if only in his dreams.
Mike also enjoyed playing softball. He managed and played with the Sunrise Club of Roseville, and in 1965 they were champions of the Roseville Softball Invitational Tournament. He later joined a Senior softball league in Sacramento. He also coached the Holy Family Catholic Youth Organization Co-ed softball team in which he took great joy. Many members of the team still think fondly of “Mr. J”. Mike and Carmen also enjoyed bowling in a league with his brother, Manuel and wife, Bunny and in later years, playing golf together.
Mike loved his dogs. His favorite dog found him while he was shopping in a hobby shop for model airplane parts. Razor, a German shepherd that also happened into the shop, met him and decided that Mike would be his human. He left behind his beloved dogs, Mia and Goldie. All his dogs, whom he put through military boot camp, loved to get petted by him. It was more like a full-body massage. And when the grand dogs came over, they too would line up for their massage-pet.
Michael Jimenez is survived by his loving wife, Carmen, his children, Carmen’s children, children’s spouses, grandchildren and spouses, and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all his family and friends who loved him dearly.
Graveside services will be performed by Fr. Michael Baricuatro of St. Rose of Lima, along with military honors. Due to Covid-19, services will be limited to the immediate family.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date, along with a reception. All the family, extended family and friends will be welcomed.
”Due to the current COVID protocols for Sac/Placer/El Dorado County, guests must wear protective masks at all times while inside the funeral home facility and practice the recommended six foot social distancing.”
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