Obituaries

Rudolph Matthew Jimenez “Rudy”, age 83 of Newark, CA passed away quietly in his home on February 3, 2014.

Born February 12, 1930 in Merced, CA to Mateo and Antonia Jimenez, he was raised in Atwater, CA where he attended local schools and was active in sports, especially baseball. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During his twenty years of service he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Munich, Germany and Arizona where he met life-long friends. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Upon leaving the Army as a Staff Sergeant, he gained employment at Ohlone College in Fremont as a Maintenance Technician and Electrician. While at Ohlone, his love of “oldies” and rock and roll music became known to both students and staff. On a dare, Rudy played two-hours of music as a guest DJ on Ohlone’s KOHL radio station. The station received such an over-whelming response to his show, he was asked to host a permanent spot on Sunday evenings where he became “Rockin Rudy Jimenez on KOHL 89.3, playing those 50’s, 60’s and a little bit of those 70’s.”

In 1952, he married Evelyn Jimenez of Piru, CA. They raised their three children in Newark, CA. Rudy was very active in the community, supporting his church and involved in local politics. A big sports fan, he coached Babe Ruth Baseball and was supportive of youth and High School sports where his sons and grandchildren participated. He was also a long time member of the local Elks lodge.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents and by Evelyn, his wife of 40-years in 1992. He is survived by his children, Anthony (Vicki) Jimenez of Petaluma, CA, Teresa Zafares of Atwater, CA, Thomas (Susan) Jimenez of Newark, CA and grandchildren, Zachary Jimenez, Kassondra Zafares and Vanessa Jimenez. He is also survived by his sisters Nelly Martinez, Augustina Salazar, brother Marcy Jimenez, and beloved nephews, nieces, god-children, friends and compadres.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 10, from 8:30-10:30am and a Chapel Service will begin at 10:30am at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, CA.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), or the charity of your choice.