Simon Arreola
October 28, 1933 — December 29, 2012
Simon Arreola, 79, was born in Jalisco, Mexico on October 28, 1933 and passed away on December 29, 2012 in Montebello, Ca. Simon was previously employed as a machine operator for Louis Co. in the Cannery industry for 21 years. He has resided in Los Angeles County since 1957.
A Viewing will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM in the Risher Montebello Mortuary chapel. A Catholic Vigil will be held the same evening at 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Montebello. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Simon is survived by his loving wife, Modesta Arreola of Commerce, his children, Hermelinda Morales of No. Hollywood, Arturo (Silvia) Arreola of Alta Loma, Leticia Arreola of Whittier, Laura (Jeff) Garrett of Whittier, Guillermina Becerra Vasquez of Commerce, Socorro Castañeda (Lupe) of San Diego, Antonio Becerra (Alma) of Mexico and Enrique Becerra (Flor) of Moreno Valley. He also leaves 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and his sister, Cruz Solis of El Monte and his brothers, Manuel Arreola of Los Angeles and Saturnino Arreola and Jesus Arreola, both of Mexico. His brother Francisco Arreola passed away in Mexico on the same day as Simon.
Simon lived an epic life, a kind of life that movies are made of. He left his small farming town of Jamay in the southern state of Jalisco, Mexico at the very young age of 16. He left looking for work and a different and more exciting way of life; he did not want to be a farmer. He worked and travelled north through Mexico until he reached the border town of Tijuana. It was in downtown Tijuana where Simon learned to survive in the big city. He excelled at a variety of jobs because of his charisma and outgoing personality. He was a photographer with the famed "Tijuana zebras," photographing tourists on these disguised donkeys in the streets of Tijuana. Tijuana was also where he met and fell in love with his wife of 56 years, Modesta. They had three daughters and one son together, yet Simon raised two sons and two daughters of Modesta's previous marriage as his own.
Continuing on the quest to better his life and that of his family, Simon immigrated to the United States. He settled upon East Los Angeles, again taking up a variety of jobs so that his family could eventually join him. For years, he traveled to Tijuana on the weekends to be with his family while their immigration papers were finalized. Although his main occupation was in the cannery business as a machine operator, he was a self-made entrepreneur ahead of his time, selling such items as women's clothing, men's suits, dog food, tires, and firecrackers – just to name a few – all from the trunk of his car. As a result of his hard work, Simon was able to buy his family a home in the City of Commerce where East Los Angeles, Montebello, and the City of Commerce meet.
Simon was liked by all who met him, making friends everywhere he went. He exuded charm and wit, and was always the life of the party. Although his life was filled with challenges, he never shied away from helping others and his kindness was what people remembered the most about him. With only a second grade education, Simon's resourcefulness and hard work enabled him to help bring his immediate family as well as his parents, aunts, and uncles to Tijuana and eventually to America. He helped put all of his children through school, impressing upon all of them the importance of education. He always helped his friends and neighbors in times of trouble or need. He was a caring, kind man that will be deeply missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
A Viewing will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM in the Risher Montebello Mortuary chapel. A Catholic Vigil will be held the same evening at 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Montebello. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Simon is survived by his loving wife, Modesta Arreola of Commerce, his children, Hermelinda Morales of No. Hollywood, Arturo (Silvia) Arreola of Alta Loma, Leticia Arreola of Whittier, Laura (Jeff) Garrett of Whittier, Guillermina Becerra Vasquez of Commerce, Socorro Castañeda (Lupe) of San Diego, Antonio Becerra (Alma) of Mexico and Enrique Becerra (Flor) of Moreno Valley. He also leaves 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and his sister, Cruz Solis of El Monte and his brothers, Manuel Arreola of Los Angeles and Saturnino Arreola and Jesus Arreola, both of Mexico. His brother Francisco Arreola passed away in Mexico on the same day as Simon.
Simon lived an epic life, a kind of life that movies are made of. He left his small farming town of Jamay in the southern state of Jalisco, Mexico at the very young age of 16. He left looking for work and a different and more exciting way of life; he did not want to be a farmer. He worked and travelled north through Mexico until he reached the border town of Tijuana. It was in downtown Tijuana where Simon learned to survive in the big city. He excelled at a variety of jobs because of his charisma and outgoing personality. He was a photographer with the famed "Tijuana zebras," photographing tourists on these disguised donkeys in the streets of Tijuana. Tijuana was also where he met and fell in love with his wife of 56 years, Modesta. They had three daughters and one son together, yet Simon raised two sons and two daughters of Modesta's previous marriage as his own.
Continuing on the quest to better his life and that of his family, Simon immigrated to the United States. He settled upon East Los Angeles, again taking up a variety of jobs so that his family could eventually join him. For years, he traveled to Tijuana on the weekends to be with his family while their immigration papers were finalized. Although his main occupation was in the cannery business as a machine operator, he was a self-made entrepreneur ahead of his time, selling such items as women's clothing, men's suits, dog food, tires, and firecrackers – just to name a few – all from the trunk of his car. As a result of his hard work, Simon was able to buy his family a home in the City of Commerce where East Los Angeles, Montebello, and the City of Commerce meet.
Simon was liked by all who met him, making friends everywhere he went. He exuded charm and wit, and was always the life of the party. Although his life was filled with challenges, he never shied away from helping others and his kindness was what people remembered the most about him. With only a second grade education, Simon's resourcefulness and hard work enabled him to help bring his immediate family as well as his parents, aunts, and uncles to Tijuana and eventually to America. He helped put all of his children through school, impressing upon all of them the importance of education. He always helped his friends and neighbors in times of trouble or need. He was a caring, kind man that will be deeply missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
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