OBITUARIES
Guillermo Arvizu
83, Mexicali
John Borchard
90, El Centro
Kathy Dorantes
58, Alpine
Will Grima
84, Imperial
Eric Lopez
40, Calexico
ERIC F. LOPEZ Sep. 26, 1977 - Oct. 7, 2017
Born in Harbor City, CA in 1977, Eric was the second of three children born to Fermin and Carmen Lopez. Eric loved music, soccer, nature, friends, students, his athletes, but above all, he loved his family. Friends and family loved his irreverent sense of humor and his knack for giving nicknames and telling stories.
In his youth, Eric attended local schools and and upon graduating from Calexico High School, he attended UCSD and Cal Poly Pomona where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science. Eric worked for Imperial County Ag Commissioner’s office then moved on to work for Calexico School District, first at William Moreno Junior High School and then to Calexico High School.
His love for soccer led him to coach Calexico High School’s girls soccer team where he led them to three back to back championships. He believed in empowering young girls and helping them realize they were powerful, strong, capable, and self-sufficient. He was passionate about teaching biology to his students and was confident that all students could learn given support, understanding, and a feeling that they mattered.
Eric lost his 14 month battle to melanoma surrounded by family. He goes on to join his beloved daughter Mariana and father Fermin in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Leyiana; daughter, Carolina; mother, Carmen; sister, Vanessa (Aaron); brother, Luis (Laura); and numerous nieces and nephews. Our family would like to thank the staff at UCSD Moores Cancer Center and Jacobs Medical Center, staff at Calexico High School and Dool Elementary, family, countless friends, and members of the community for every prayer, thought, donation, and company throughout this journey.
A public celebration of life memorial will be held at Calexico High School’s Gym on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6 p.m. A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Calexico, California on Saturday October 28, 2017 at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palliative/Hospice Care at Rady Children’s Hospital in tribute to Eric’s daughter Mariana Lopez De La Pena or to UCSD Moores Cancer Center in memory of Eric Lopez.
WILL GRIMA Oct. 12, 1932 - Oct. 10, 2017
Will Grima, 84, of Imperial, CA passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
Will was born on October 12, 1932 in Seeley, CA. He graduated from Imperial High School with honors. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War in the 320th Air Refueling Squadron as an aircraft mechanic. After serving 8 years, Airman First Class Will Grima returned and finished college at IVC.
Over the years, he worked at Greyhound, the IID, the Border Patrol, McNeece Oil, Prudential Insurance, and retired from the Employment Development Department after 27 years.
His greatest joy in life was his family. He married his love, Sylvia, on December 19, 1986. He was one of the instrumental members of the Knights of Columbus, where he helped start a men’s retreat at El Carmello Retreat House. He was very active in his church, St. Anthony.
In his later years, he loved being outdoors in his mobility chair out on his ranch. He was surrounded by his loved ones up until his death. He is with our Lord now and will be missed dearly.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers in El Centro. Mass will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church in Imperial. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.
JOHN H. BORCHARD Apr. 27, 1927 - Oct. 21, 2017
John Borchard, 90, of El Centro passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2017.
He was born April 27, 1927 in Santa Ana, CA and later married Carolyn Borchard.
John is survived by his children, Barbara Dahm o f El Centro, Butch Layaye of Brawley, Sharon Simpson of Yuma, AZ, Kevin Borchard of Hanford and Gloria Borchard of Las Vegas, NV.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Frye Chapel and Mortuary in Brawley from 6 to 9 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brawley and will be officiated by Father Ed Horning. Burial will immediately follow at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley.
KATHLEEN DORANTES Dec. 2, 1958 - Oct. 17, 2017
Kathy Dorantes, 58, of Alpine, CA passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 after a lengthy battle of Breast Cancer.
Kathy was born in Johnstown, PA to Stephen and Julia (Babal) Salamon. She grew up in Dayton, OH, and Silver Spring, MD.
She attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada and received a Masters of Journalism from Columbia Journalism School, NY, and a Masters of English from CSU Fullerton. Kathy was known for her adventurous and independent spirit and her world travels. She was very active in the community, a girl scout leader, library volunteer and friend to many. She has worked in San Francisco, as a reporter at the Idaho Mountain Express in Ketchum, ID, the Register Pajaronian in Watsonville, the Sacramento Union, and the Riverside Press Enterprise.
After a life altering trip to India in 1992, she changed careers and became an English professor at Imperial Valley College. She leaves behind many good friends and colleagues at every place she worked at.
She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Dorantes and daughter, Allison Dorantes, who will miss her very much.
An informal memorial celebration of her life will be held Sunday, October 29th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd, Alpine, CA. Light refreshments will be served.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kathleen Dorantes Memorial Scholarship through the IVC Foundation. www.imperial.edu/about/foundation/give-to-ivc/ or IVC Foundation, 380 East Aten Rd, Imperial, CA 92251.
GUILLERMO ESPINOZA ARVIZU Feb. 2, 1934 - Oct. 17, 2017
Guillermo Arvizu, 83, of Mexicali passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.
He is survived by his wife, son, daughters, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6 to 9 p.m. at Hems Brothers Mortuary in Calexico. Mass will be held on Thursday October 26, 2017 at 9 a.m. at Our lady of Guadalupe in Calexico. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Calexico.