Life Tributes for the week of 4/7/20

Frank Antonio Maestas

Frank Antonio Maestas, 94, was called home to heaven on March 25, 2020 in Los Banos, California after a brief illness.

Frank was born on July 11, 1925 to Amalia Maestas in Mora, New Mexico.

Frank served in the Army 350th Infantry Division as a rifleman, based in Venezia Giulia, Italy during World War II. For his service Frank was awarded the WWII Victory Medal and Army Occupation Ribbon. Frank was discharged in December of 1946.

Frank married Libradita Gonzales on April 10, 1953, in Mora, New Mexico, and they soon moved to Herlong, California to begin his career at Sierra Army Depot while Libby, as she was known, stayed home to raise their four children. Frank and Libby were members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Herlong.

After Frank’s retirement Frank and Libby hit the road every summer, traveling as much as possible, visiting relatives across the United States, never missing a wedding or graduation. While at home, Frank took great pride in his yard, including his apple and pear trees, roses, and immaculate lawn. While not enjoying WWF on television, Frank would use his training as a barber to give his friends and family an occasional haircut. After the loss of Libby in 1999 to cancer, Frank passed many more years at his home in Herlong until his move to Los Banos, California where he became a resident of New Bethany Residential Care and Skilled Nursing Facility of the Franciscan Hopitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. While at New Bethany he cherished visits from family and continued to attend many family dinners at his daughter’s in Los Banos.

Preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Libby; oldest son, Robert Cordova and daughter-in-law, Viki Cordova. He is survived by his sister, Tita Vigil, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; daughter, Lillian Otwell, of Mount Pleasant, Texas; daughter, Amalia and son-in-law Danny Cook, of Los Banos, California; son, Adolfo and daughter-in-law Kathie Maestas, of Reno, Nevada; seven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to current government and health care recommendations, a private burial will be held with a Celebration of Life to be planned on a later date to include all who remember Frank.

Kenneth Leslie Jordan

Kenneth Leslie Jordan, 75, of Susanville, California passed away at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 after a battle with cancer.

Ken was born on Feb. 22, 1944 in Enid, Oklahoma where he and his sister, Carol (Fine) Reyes were raised by their mother, Orpha (Holt) Fine and their stepfather, Ernest Fine. His family moved to Northern California when he was young, and that’s where he met his high school sweetheart, Laura Teeter.

Ken enlisted in the army one year before marrying Laura in San Carlos, California on June 13, 1964.

Ken worked hard his entire life to support his family, often working double shifts despite the pain of serious back injuries. His work included 23 years for the California Correctional Center, where he was well respected, before retiring in 2005. In his free time, Ken enjoyed spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and searching for gold.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother, Orpha Fine; and his sister, Carol Reyes. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Laura Jordan; his two daughters, April Jordan Hutchings and Laureen Jordan; his granddaughter, Ember Elorza; and his great-grandson, Graeme Elorza. His strength and humor will be missed.

Anyone wishing to honor Ken’s memory should make a donation to the American Cancer Society in his name.