Jacinto Diaz Saldana Obituary (1926 - 2012)

Jacinto Diaz Saldana age 85 and a resident of Porterville for 63 years passed away August 4, 2012 at his home in Porterville. Jacinto was born September 11, 1926 to Jose and Rafaela Saldana at San Juan De Los Lagos, Mexico. Like so many others in the 1940's, he first came to California looking for a job and quickly found work in the fields of the local farmers. In 1949 he met a young woman from Porterville named Caroline Felix and on November 14, 1952 they married in Visalia and made their home in Porterville. Their family soon grew to include four children and as Jacinto worked for Sierra Forrest Products and Caroline worked as an LVN at Porterville Developmental Center they still found time to volunteer with various Hispanic community organizations. They helped organize many social events including dances and parades and with their fun loving outgoing personalities developed many lasting friendships over the years. Jacinto was twice honored as the Grand Marshall of the Porterville Cinco De Mayo Parade and enjoyed his involvement in the Sociedad Progresista Mexicana and Edad De Oro. At home, Jacinto liked tending to his fruit trees, vegetable garden and his numerous cats, dogs and chickens and on occasion would venture out with friends to play the slots at Eagle Mountain Casino. Though his family mourns his passing, they want to celebrate the life he lived and the example he was for them. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Caroline Saldana in 1986. Surviving family includes his son John Saldana and wife Margarita of Porterville. 3 daughters: Christine Camarena of Los Angeles. Elaine Williams and Eddie Lowrey of Louisiana. Carmelita Kane and husband Daniel of Bakersfield along with 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm to 8:00pm Thursday August 9, at Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Chapel with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 9:00am at St. Anne's Catholic Church Friday August 10, followed by interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Porterville. To sign Jacinto's online register book or leave a message of condolence please visit www.whitehurstfuneral .com. For additional information contact Whitehurst-Peters-Loyd Funeral & Cremation Service: 195 N. Hockett St, Porterville. (559)784-6485