Valentine Ernesto Zuniga, Jr.

Valentine Ernesto Zuniga Jr., also known as Val, was born November 11, 1934 in Lindsay, California.

Val spent his formative years in Strathmore, along with his three sisters and younger brother.

Val was active in sports, particularly football, throughout high school. He was also a popular crooner, singing often in school talent shows. This passion for singing and music would be one of the greatest gifts he would give his future family.

Val met Jessie Reyes, a tennis player at Strathrnore High, and the two were friends throughout their high school years. After high school Val joined the U.S. Army at age 21, and spent much of his military time playing football for his colonel at Ft Lewis in Washington.

When not playing football, Val could be found cleaning garbage cans as a disciplinary action that he often joked about.

Val said his military career began when he went to the recruiter with his best friend in hopes of staying together during their time in. Unfortunately, both were separated immediately at boot camp. He always laughed when telling us this story.

Shortly after his honorable discharge, Val and Jessie began their two-year courtship, and then married on May 1, 1959. Val always said that the day Jessie said "I do" was the greatest day of his life.

They started their family soon after, with the birth of their first son, Richard Valentine Zuniga, in 1960. Rick was followed three years later by twin boys, Alex and Robert. All three boys were born in their dad's birthplace, Lindsay, CA.

Val worked for Mueller Irrigation, and his work eventually took the family up the Central Valley to the Modesto area. There, the family welcomed their fourth child, Valerie, the daughter they were hoping for. Less than a year after Valerie's arrival, the family relocated to Gonzales, CA, where they spent the next 25 years.

Val and Jessie became extensively involved in their new community, making friends, memories, and laying down roots that would last a lifetime. Val's outgoing spirit, and his strong work ethic allowed him to take on significant roles in the Gonzales community. A few of them that he spoke of often were his membership with the Young Men's Club, coaching countless youth baseball teams, and serving proudly on the Gonzales Unified School Board. The Young Men's Club was an exciting time for Val. The goal for this service organization was to raise money to give scholarships to students in the Gonzales community. Val and his fellow Young Men's Club members helped to organize everything from BBQS to dances in the spirit of raising funds.

As a baseball coach, Val's sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the sport was unmatched. Numerous players, whether athletic or not, appreciated Coach Zuniga for his style. Val believed that the game not only involved catchmg and hitting a ball, but also how to have good sportsmanship and be a strong teammate.

Val was proud of his many roles in the community, but his school board appointment was one of his proudest moments.

Val believed that he brought diversity and a unique voice for all of Gonzales to the board. He felt strongly about the role of the school board in local education, and heavily committed to this role because of those beliefs.

Val was aware that he didn't have a strong educational background, but his ability to connect with others and earn their respect, along with his genuine desire to support his neighbors proved valuable to the board's success. In all, Val served on the school board for 12 years, with several as President.

Val's irrigation background brought him to San Bernabe Vineyards in 1985. The winery was so impressed with his work, they brought him on board and quickly made him a foreman. His career with San Bernabe opened the door to numerous promotions within the organization. During his time there, Val served as a foreman, labor manager, and ended as the purchasing manager.

Val was known throughout the company as a strong organizer, and a hard worker with high levels of integrity, always getting the job done. For these reasons, Val became the company organizer for company picnics, golf tournaments, and other corporate events. If the project needed to be successful Val was the guy to do it.

Val retired in 2002, after nearly 45 years of working.

In 2003, Val lost the love of his life to illness. Even though this was a huge blow to his life, he persevered to stay busy and get involved.

He chose to apply his leadership skills and commitment to his community by serving as a volunteer with the First Tee of Monterey County.

"Coach Val" mentored hundreds of local school kids in his favorite game of golf, while also teaching them to be responsible, caring young adults. Val was even awarded Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding work with the program.

Also during his "Golden Years", Val truly embraced his role as a grandfather. He was determined to love all of his grandchildren enough for two. He did this by attending birthdays, baseball and soccer games, recitals, school open houses, graduations, rugby matches, football games, plays, frst days of school, etc.

You name it, Grandpa Val wanted to be there.

Val also used his retirement years to play lots of golf, attend concerts, Giants baseball games, and car shows.

Through his special relationship with Pastor Andy Rock, Val also rekindled his faith and embraced the glory of God. His love of Jesus grew with spiritual support from his loving Uncle Robert and Aunt Virginia Flores.

Most recently, Val's favorite activities were singing with Bella and Maggie, and playing cards with Brendan and Cameron He also continued to watch his beloved San Francisco Giants every day the game was on.

Val is Survived by his children and their families: Rick, his wife Sandra, and their children Serina Zuniga-gonzales and Rick Jr., Alex, his partner Anne and his children, Isabella and Marguerite, Robert, his wife Kristi and their son Robert Jr., their daughter Mariana preceded Val in passing in 2005; Valerie Z. Berthiaume, her husband Chris, and their children Brendan and Cameron.

Val is aiso survived by two great-grandchildren, Zachary and Matthew, who are the children of his devoted granddaughter Serina Zuniga-gonzales and her husband Rolando.

Val also leaves behind his three sisters, Lucille wallace: lrene Halcon, Dm Bonham, as well as his younger brother, Joe Ruiz Jr.

Enternment was held in Gonzalez, California with full Military Honors.