Jose Carmelo Vargas

Jose was born on June 12, 1945, the son of Lazaro Vargas and Toribia Castaneda. Jose was raised in Tepatitlan, Jalisco Mexico. Jose was raised with seven siblings. He had one older sister, Cuca, and three older brothers, Arnulfo, Miguel, and Ramiro. He had one younger sister Hila and two younger brothers Patricio and Luis.

On April 12, 1975 Jose married Obdulia Rodriguez at Sagrada Familia Church in Wilmington, California. Jose was blessed with four children: two daughters Belinda and Rocio and two sons Orlando and Ernesto. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Anthony, Monseratt, Alanis, Maxemillian and one on the way.

Jose’s primary occupation was Plumbing, but he did it all, from upholstery, quilting, factory work, picking up scrap metal and cardboard, selling avocados to all in the neighborhood. You named it; he did it as long as it was honest work.

His favorite pursuits were anything to do with the outdoors. He loved to play basketball even though he was a shorty. He loved to swim in the ocean. His favorite park was Wilson Park, where one would find him running, sometimes with a plastic bag on him so that he would “sweat” more.

He loved music and always had a radio nearby. His favorite song was “Tampico Hermoso”. He loved to eat all types of seafood, “pepinos con sal y limon”, jocoque, and Chinese bbq pork. His loved ones had different nicknames for Jose. He was known as “Carmelo”, “Guero”, “Papa Nino”, “grampa”, “papi”, “viejo”, “pops” and “el tio”. Some of his favorite sayings were “ay fish”, “Hakunah ma ta ta”, “Ni Madres” “ah pues” “andale” “chifle” and “Anthony People” just to name a few.

Jose loved animals and cherished his pets. He was fascinated by bees and collected them. Just ask some of those who would "help" him collect bees for his collection and they are sure to tell you a funny story about their beehive collection. Foofur, a German shepherd dog, was a best friend for 10 years. He also had 3 Chihuahuas, Chiquita, Gordo and Spike, but throughout the years he brought home tons of chickens, a duck, quails, doves, pigeons, rabbits and a goat! Needless to say Obdulia wasn’t too pleased with his plethora of animals.

Jose Vargas passed away on October 4, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family, in Torrance, California. He had Cirrhosis of the liver and hepatic encephalopathy. The doctors gave him 3-6 months, but he stayed fighting for another 2 years! He is survived by his wife Obdulia, his children Belinda, Rocio, Orlando and Ernesto, his grandchildren Anthony, Monseratt, Alanis, Maxemillian, his sisters Cuca and Hila and his brothers Arnulfo, Miguel, Patricio and Luis, his son in laws Fernando and David and his daughter in laws Isabel and Maribel. Services were held at St. Philomena Church. Jose was laid to rest in Roosevelt Memorial Park, in Gardena, California.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel McNerney's Mortuary, FD #858, Wilmington, CA.