John O'Neil Mendoza, 77, of the McLewis Community, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 25, 2013, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Joseph P. Daleo, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Orange.

Gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home in Orange.

Johnny was a lifelong resident of Orange, Texas born on May 7, 1935 to his parents, Estella "Stella" Simar Mendoza and O'Neil John Mendoza. He graduated from St. Mary's High School and was a Process Operator with lengthy service with DuPont Sabine Rivers Works followed by service with Cain Chemical and retirement from Occidental. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Orange and enjoyed sports cars, NASCAR, country music and spending time with his family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Gill Mendoza, those who will most cherish his memory are his son, Brent O'Neil Mendoza and wife Cindy; daughter, Sherri Fruge' and husband Jeff; close friends, Eunice and Rodney Barrett; sister, Amelda Williams and husband Tommy; grandchildren, Jessica and Kyle Mendoza, Lauren Peet Daniel, Joel Fruge' Bonnie and great grandchildren, Hayley, Sydney and Carson Peet.

The family would like to thank the staff of Answered Prayers in Orange, Texas for their wonderful care and support as well as those serving as Pallbearers, Frederick "Freddie" Bourdier, Prentice Scarber, Jeff Fruge', Joel Fruge', Kyle Mendoza and Daniel Peet.