Obituary of Donald E. Luevano

Donald Eugene Luevano Born April 28,1936 in Fresno, California entered into eternal rest at the age of 84 on December 29, 2020. Don spent his youth helping his family on the 10 acres of land his father owned behind his home on Lathrop road. Having only a 9th grade education from Manteca High School, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict from 1954 until 1957. The Air Force gave Don the opportunity to see a different side of the world where he was fortunate enough to serve overseas and visit Germany, England and France. After being honorably discharged, Don returned to California’s central valley where fate introduced him to the love of his life Margaret who happened to be the sister in law of his brother Raymond. After a short courtship, the two were married on October 3,1958 and were the second set of two brothers marrying two sisters in their family. The skills and values instilled in Don by his mother Luisa, and father Ponciano were very strong and continued to guide his life as he started his own family with Margaret. Together they raised 4 children; Cheryl, Don Jr., Rita, and Irene, and eventually settled in Lathrop, California in 1963. Don continued to work in agriculture until moving on to other jobs as a member of the Teamsters Union Local 749, and eventually to a career with BP Chemical from which he retired in 1996. In his later years, Don spent many hours volunteering his time with his wife Margaret, to many local organizations including ; The Mission of the Good Shepherd, Our Lady of Guadalupe,The Lathrop Senior Center, San Joaquin County’s Brown Bag Food Program, he served as commissioner of the building of the Veterans Memorial Wall for the City of Lathrop, and served on the Color Guard and Honor Guard for VFW Post 6311. He also had the honor with his wife Margaret to ride in the Lathrop Christmas parade in 2006 as Lathrop's Grand Marshals. Before and during his retirement Don enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids and at the same time continued to help take care of his parents. After the death of his mother in1998 Don devoted much of his time helping his niece Katrina Menchaca care for his dad until his fathers passing in 2001. The stories they would tell us about the escapades and situations they endured during those times were priceless. In 2011 Don was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s which eventually took his memory but his quick wit and humor stayed with him to the very end. Don is preceded in death by his parents Ponciano & Louise Tablet, his sister Connie Taberna, and brothers Robert Luevano & Ponciano Jr. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years Margaret Luevano, His siblings Raymond (Jet) Luevano, Rosie Gomez , Katy Reyes, Eleanor (Pee Wee) Bechard, Loretta Arteaga, and Vincent Tablet. A beloved PAPA to Elizabeth (Poo) Barrera, Robert (Big Bob) Velasquez, Diana (Fan Diane) Hernandez, Christopher (Damian) Hernandez, Mikey (J W) Torres III, Cerena (Ballerina) Good, Rico (Rico Pico) Torres, Chuckee (Cordapio) Good, Lidi (Pigeon Pie) Hernandez, Philip (Cordapio) Luevano, and Shane (Cordapio) Luevano. Great-grandfather to Angel, Ruben, Aliyah and King Hernandez, Janelle and Jason Barrera, Kyla and Ezra Velasquez, CJ Hernandez, Lucia and Mikey IV Torres and Aurora Nunnally. He was a wonderful brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to many. Don will be forever loved, and greatly missed. Graveside service will be held at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.