Alex Payan Mendez, Sr.

Alex Payan Mendez Sr., 50, passed away on September 16, 2011 after his battle with cancer.

Alex was born in Phoenix, Arizona on March 5, 1961 to Jesse & Helen Payan Mendez. It was there that he later married the love of his life Darlene Berrones on November 10, 1977. They had two sons & later moved to Walla Walla.

Alex was a loving husband, wonderful father & an amazing grandfather. He enjoyed life to its fullest. He was a hard-working, good, honest man. He enjoyed spending time with his family & friends, camping, BBQs & summer bike rides with his wife. Alex was currently employed at Colt (Cliffstar Corp.) as a forklift operator. Alex enjoyed his work, his coworkers & friends.

Alex is survived by his wife, Darlene; their children, Alex & Summer Mendez Jr., Aaron & Sakura Mendez; 4 grandchildren, Elisha, Niko, Alexis & Curtis Mendez all of Walla Walla; his mother, Helen Payan Mendez of AZ; mother-in-law, Gail Berrones of Tri Cities, WA; his 3 brothers, David & Carla Mendez, Jesse & Petra Mendez, Ricky & Mary Anne Mendez; his 5 sisters, Becky & Danny Aris-Mendez, Lydia & Juan Berrera, Dora & Beto Mendez, Hope & Ernie Flores, Lisa Martinez all of Arizona. He is also survived by 32 nieces & nephews. Alex was preceded in death by his father, Jesse Lucero Mendez Sr. & his father-in-law, Jose Candelario Berrones.

The Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital through the funeral home.