A vigil prayer service for Henry J. Mendez, Jr., 67 of Lompoc, was held at 5 p.m. Thursday, August 10, 2006 at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. A funeral mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. John Fitzgerald officiating. Burial followed at Lompoc Cemetery.

A native of Lompoc, Henry was born May 20, 1939 to Henry and Lena Cabral Mendez and was raised on the family ranch. He was a 1957 graduate of Lompoc High School. Following high school, Henry joined the U.S. Army Reserves and continued working the family ranch operations with his brother, Larry as well as working as a heavy equipment operator. He was later employed with the Street Department with the City of Lompoc until his recent retirement.

Henry was a charter member of Lompoc Elks Lodge 2274 and the I.U.O.E Local 12. He was an avid NASCAR fan who admired the talents of Tony Stewart. His daughter, Nanette, was the joy of his life and lovingly cared for her father through his brief and sudden illness.

He died at his home on Monday, August 7, 2006.

Survivors include his daughter, Nanette of Pleasanton, mother, Lena of Lompoc, brothers, LeRoy of Oceanside and Larry and his wife, Lyla of Lompoc, niece, Lori Morss of Santa Ynez and Larry Mendez, Jr. of Lompoc and two great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry, Sr. in 1982.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lompoc Elks Lodge Special Projects, 905 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc 93436.

"I love you, dad…you were the best!"