Tomas F. Marmolejo
Tomas F. Marmolejo 93, passed away on March 16th in the arms of his loved ones. He was the adoring husband of Dora Marmolejo. They shared 64 years of marriage together never parting.
Born in Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles, he was the son of Juan Marmolejo and Irene Tavarez. He entered Basic Army Training from Lincoln High School in Lincoln Heights in May 1945 during World War II. Upon completion of his Infantry training, he was shipped to Japan shortly after the atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There he joined the occupying forces at Kure Naval Base where he was assigned to the signal corps to assist installing and repairing communication lines. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal after a year in Japan. It was a unique experience such that he and my mom maintained a fondness for the culture of Japan throughout their lives.
He then returned to Los Angeles where he received degrees from both Lipson’s School of Costume Designing and the General Trades School in tailoring and upholstering. He spent many years in the furniture manufacturing business, started his own custom upholstery business, went on to teach adult education and then vocational training for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He retired to Temecula in 1994.
He was a dedicated member of St. Alphonsus Church in E.L.A. and later at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Temecula where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion. He was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and served on their State Council. His deep faith and his love for the Church gave him strength and never wavered.
He spent many years delivering food to the less fortunate and administering communion to the home bound. He will be remembered for his selfless love for family, friends and the unborn as well as his easygoing, caring nature.
He is survived by his wife Dora, sister Nena, son Abel, daughter Amanda, son-in-law David, and many cherished nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by siblings Johnny, Carmelita, Rudy, Sal, and Jesse.
Due to the ongoing Corona virus regulations, his memorial service will be privately held at the England Family Mortuary in Temecula with interment at Riverside National Cemetery with military honors. A member of “The Greatest Generation”.
Viva Cristo Rey!
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Temecula.
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Dear aunt Dora and cousins Amanda, David and Abel, my heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Thank you for giving us the ability to join the service. Everything you and David said about my uncle is how I remember him. I
Loved going with my mom and sister to visit my Uncle Tom and Aunt Dora. I loved that he would take us touring the newest wineries and stopping for a glass of wine at his favorites. My favorite was having lunch at Leoness, of which I am now a member. I loved that he would always make it a point to meet my mom at Pechanga when she would go with the Seniors. That’s how much he loved his sister. Uncle Tom will always be in my heart and he will truly be missed.
I love you Tio.
Danielle Hellyar
Dear Aunt Dora and cousins Amanda, David, and Abel,
Thank you for allowing us to unite in prayer as a family to celebrate Uncle Tom’s “life” via streaming. Although we could not be physically present, we felt the unity and peace our Uncle Tom would have wanted us to have. We could not be there to give you hugs, but we hope you felt our love. Amanda and David, your sentiments spoken gave our Uncle the honor he deserved. We always admired his faithfulness to God and family. Now our Uncle Tom joins his loved ones with the choirs of angels and saints. May he rest in peace in the embrace of our Lord.
Love and prayers always,
Marcy and Ann Marie
Dora, Amanda & Abel,
So sorry for your loss of one of the kindest souls that we know.
Thank you for sharing the memorial information with us so we could watch it on line. Beautiful words and thoughts were shared and we were blessed to be able to be part of it.
Tom was a great man and neighbor to our family.He was a very kind and elegant person. The whole neighborhood could see how beautifully he honored his wife. Although he was soft spoken, anyone could sense his strength and intelligence just by talking with him for a few minutes. He always had great advice for our kids and the other neighbors. Tom was quick to help everyone around him with no expectations to return the favor.
We will miss his regal presence here in Rancho Serrano. We knew Tom was a Godly man and his words and actions proved that out. He truly was a great example of a good man to us all.
Tom – Godspeed good sir and you will always be in our prayers. You truly are a child of God.
I can’t thank everyone enough for the love you have shown for my beautiful dad. You’re thoughts and prayers have all filled my heart with joy for my dad….the newest Angel.
Our hearts and much love go out to you aunty Dora, cousin Amanda, Abel and family and friends. My uncle will be truly missed but always present in our hearts.
Martin, Olivia and Michael Guerrero
Thank you so much for making it possible to “virtually attend� my dear Uncle Tom’s funeral. My heart goes out to you, Auntie/cousin Deedee, and cousins Amanda and Abel. I wish you a taste of the peace that Is Uncle Tom’s now. Know that you are in my prayers.
Stay well. Love, Susan Marmolejo Kipp
Uncle Tom’s memorial was beautiful, peaceful and heartwarming. A perfect farewell from his beloved family. Thank you cousin Amanda for arranging visual and audio access for us, his extended family, to be a part of this final tribute to this wonderful man. God’s peace will soften sadness and grief as promised, for those who trust and and take him at his word. God bless Uncle Tom’s beloved wife, aunt Dora, his dear children Abel, Amanda and spouse David, and his loving sister Tia Nena. We can rejoice that this wonderful man is now with his Heavenly Father, and many of his loved ones who arrived before him. Love and prayers from cousin Irene Marmolejo Garcia:heart: