Thomas J. Mendoza
A Santa Barbara native, Thomas J. Mendoza passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 26, 2019.
Born on October 21, 1944 to Joseph and Guadalupe Mendoza, Thomas attended Our Lady of Guadalupe, Santa Barbara Junior High and graduated from Santa Barbara High School. He earned his degree in Social Work from Long Beach State University.
Thomas’ passion was the youth in the Santa Barbara community. He operated Living Workshop, a home for boys and founded the Santa Barbara Youth Mariachi. He further served the community in 1999 when he was President of the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival.
Thomas is survived by his son Jeff Mendoza, his wife Amy Mendoza and their son Derek Mendoza of Ojai, his daughter Christa Skinnell, her husband Matthew Skinnell and their children Kiran and Lincoln Skinnell of Woodstock, Ga., his brother Ruben Mendoza of Goleta, his sisters Mary Solis of Beaumont, Josie Mendoza, Teresa Chavez both of Santa Barbara, Sister Andrea Mendoza, SND of Campbell and Victoria Hansen of Stockton. Preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Guadalupe Mendoza, his brothers Manuel Mendoza, Lee Mendoza both of Santa Barbara, Jesus “Dusty” Mendoza of Oxnard, sisters Jenny Fajardo, Lupe Mendoza and Marian Mandese all of Santa Barbara. He was respected and always held a special place in the hearts of his many nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish on February 16, 2019 at 12:00 pm.