Obituary Henry “Bop” Meraz March 4, 2015
March 04, 2015
Obituaries
Henry “Bop” Meraz
Henry “Bop” Meraz, 64, resident of Santa Paula, California was called home on February 20, 2015 at Community Memorial Hospital, from a brief illness of esophageal cancer.
He was born October 5, 1950 in Ventura, California, and was the son of the late Petra and Jess Meraz. Henry was a man with many hats; he worked from welding to bodywork, home, and auto repairs, anything to keep his hands busy. Nothing held him back. He loved camping, sightseeing, watching football, cooking and cleaning. He always found an excuse to fire up the grill, as well as having the occasional cup of tea, and tossing back a few.
His greatest passion in life was his family and their well-being. Anyone who knew him knew that he would take his shirt off his back for anyone who needed it. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, and put everyone else before himself, and that did not change once he found out he was ill.
He leaves behind, in everyone’s hearts his famous quotes “Maan! Pshh,” “And stuff like that” and “Whatchamacallit.”
He preceded in death by sister Mary “Meraz” Castaneda, brothers Manuel Hinijosa, and Bobby Hinijosa. He is survived by his sister Veronica Delgado, his brother Salvador “Chava” Espinoza-Tovar. He leaves behind the five children that he shared with Debbie Gonzalez: Hope Gonzalez, Frank (Heidi) Meraz, Jess Henry Meraz, Lisa (Lenny) Olvera, and Anthony Garza. In addition, he leaves behind his ten grandchildren: Destiny Meraz, Jessica Meraz, Orlando “Nano” Meraz, Arianna Meraz, Isaiah Garcia, Anthony Garza Jr., Alexis Mendez, Vincent Mendez, Angelique Mendez, and Lenisa Olvera. He will be missed by all that knew him, he touched so many lives: nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 5 pm at the Skillin-Carroll Mortuary in Santa Paula, California. The remembrance gathering will follow Friday March 13, 2015 at 5:30 pm; location will be announced at services.
