Surrounded by his family, Aberdeen resident of nearly 65 years, John Mendoza, 75, died at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen on Tuesday, December 18, 2012. John was born in Portland, Oregon on April 15, 1937, the son of Juan and Margerita (Garcia) Mendoza. He came with his family to the Harbor and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1956. He had excelled in track and football during high school.
John worked as an auto mechanic for Bigelow Chevrolet starting in 1956 and continuing for the next 21 years. He then worked for Cross Town Motors for a short while before working as a heavy equipment mechanic for the Port of Grays Harbor. He retired in 1981.