Clemente Mendez Jr.

Birth: April 1, 1934 | Died: January 21, 2023

On Saturday, January 21, 2023, Clemente Mendez, Jr., loving father of seven children, twenty grandchildren and one great-grandchild passed peacefully at age 88 in Placentia, CA. Clemente “Clem” is survived by his daughter Mimi Cunneen and husband Jim, his daughter Maria Stewart, his son Marc Mendez and wife Monica, his son Jay Mendez and wife Sooner, his son Mike Mendez and wife Jeanette, his son James Mendez, his daughter Jenny Mendez, his twenty grandchildren, his great-grandchild and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn, his father, Clemente Sr., his mother Virginia, and his sisters Lilly and Yvonne. Born in Westminster, CA,  April 1, 1934, to Clemente and Virginia Mendez as the oldest of the three siblings. After high school and one year in college, Clem served in the US Army where he earned a Medal of Good Conduct and Expert Rifle Marksmanship. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State Universities at Long Beach and Fullerton; he obtained his teaching and administrative credentials immediately following. He taught elementary, middle school, high school and as a professor in several universities. He also was a television Spanish teacher for seven years. In addition to teaching, Clem also served as a principal. In all, he worked over 40 years in education. Clem will always be remembered for his witty humor, love of sports, passion for reading, collector of automobiles, high intellect, sought after wisdom and strong religious beliefs. A viewing will be held at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, February 6, from 4PM to 7 PM located at 120 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM, February 7, at St. Boniface Church located at 120 N. Janss St., Anaheim, CA with a burial service to follow at Riverside National Cemetery located at 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA.