Justin “Gus” Mendez, 79, passed peacefully Thursday, December 6th with family and friends at his side.
Justin was born June 11th, 1939 in Clovis, New Mexico to Martin and Pilar Mendez.
In 1957, Justin graduated from Clovis High School where he went on to become an amateur boxer, capturing the states Golden Gloves featherweight title and then the 135-pound open championship in 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Army the following year where PFC Justin Mendez furthered his boxing career fighting out of Fort Benning, GA.
Justin is survived by his children, Raymond (Angie) Garcia, Christina (Lauro) Mota, Theresa Mendez, Justin Mendez Jr. and Paul (Melissa) Mendez; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 19th from 9 a.m - 4 p.m at Oak Hill Funeral Home in San Jose, with rosary to follow at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 20th at 10 a.m at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in San Jose.