February 17, 1918 – March 1, 2013
After 95 years and a short battle with pneumonia, Jose passed away peacefully at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara.
He was born to Narciso Meraz and Martina Nevarez Meraz in Barrazas Durango, Mexico where as a young child he recalled being told that Doroteo Arango (Pancho Villa) was in the village hiding out.
Jose was the youngest and last surviving of seven siblings.
He first came to the United States during WWII. Men were needed to work on the railroads and many Mexicans were recruited and Jose ended up in Pittsburgh, P A. After the war, he returned to Mexico and for several years worked there as a Judicial Policeman.
In the mid 1950’s he came to Santa Barbara and worked at the golf course at Hope Ranch. In 1960 he was hired at the Alisal Golf Course as a groundskeeper and at that time hired an immigration attorney who helped him bring his wife Ramona and six of their children here from Mexico. He worked at Alisal for over 30 years until his retirement.
Many locals may remember Jose driving across the flats in his green 1967 International Scout, with a long line of cars behind him, because it wouldn’t go more than 40 mph.
Shortly after Jose’s wife, Ramona, passed away, he went to live with his youngest daughter, Nena, her husband Jose and their kids, where he was given much loving care by all of them.
Jose was pre-deceased by his wife Ramona, daughter Amalia, son Arturo, and great-grandson Jaimito.
He is survived by eight children; Maria DeLaCruz (Cruz), Alberto, Cosme, Ramona, Andres, Amada, Magdalena (Nena) and Martin, 25 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be held Thursday, March 7th at 8:00pm at the Old Mission Santa Ines Hall. Funeral Mass will be Friday, March 8th at 10:00am at the Old Mission Santa Ines, and Graveside will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard. A Reception will be held at Days Inn in Buellton, 114 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, Windmill Room.
Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors.
