FUND-RAISING

Posted: Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 - 02:43:00 pm PST
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Reader seeks help for family

I had the opportunity to meet with Carolina, Juan Zendejas’ wife and family. Omar, Juan’s 4-year-old son looks a lot like him. He has spiky hair and has a quiet friendliness about him, just like Juan.

Many times, he was the person who helped me put the inside of the bump cap together for new employees. It’s harder than it looks. He also helped me tour visitors and new team members. He politely pretended not to laugh or notice when I walked right into a low-hanging piece of machinery. Thank goodness for the hat!

Juan worked at this location since 2001, shortly after he arrived from Mexico with his father and brother. His family decided they would return to Mexico but Juan stayed. He didn’t speak English and probably never imagined he would be a lead at the company. His wife’s family became like his family and he became a son to them. Many people at the plant also became a family to him.

When his brother and father left back to Tijuana, he made peace with the idea that he would probably never see them again. A long time ago, Juan made a conscious decision that he would make his family strong and put all the energy he had into his next generation.

On Oct. 26, Juan Zendejas called his family. He talked to his children and told his wife he would be home soon. Juan passed away that day on his way home in a motorcycle accident. On Dec. 15, Carolina will bring a new baby girl into her family.

A personal memorial fund has been set up at Bank of America in Moses Lake for anyone wishing to donate money to help the wife and children Juan Zendejas loved so much.

Estela Caballero

Warden

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