Jose Mesa Nuñez

Jose Mesa Nuñez, 82, of Lompoc passed away on January 16, 2012 in California City, California. A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, the vigil service will beginning at 5:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at La Purisima Catholic Church on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9:30am, followed by internment and military honors at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Nuñez was born April 15, 1929, in El Centro, California to Agapita Mesa and Refugio Nuñez. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War where he was wounded on Heartbreak Ridge. He received two Purple Hearts, the Korean, and United Nations service medals. He received a Bachelor's degree from Brooks Institute of Fine Arts. He also was tutored in sculpturing and this was his main occupation resulting in art shows. He also helped the Girls Club in art projects and was a member of the Sculptors Guild in Lompoc.

He is survived by his sons, Jose Y., of San Luis Obispo, Mark, of Goleta, Leonardo and Anthony, of Lompoc, daughters, Iva Nuñez-Martinez of California City, Ramona Nuñez Salcido of Riverside, Elaine Denton, Dena Prusa, and Teresa Nuñez, all of Lompoc, his brothers, Antonio Rodriguez of Fresno and Roberto Mesa of Stockton, nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Gladys Yoder Nuñez, two sisters and three brothers.