Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Oscar Zardeneta was born in Jerome, Arizona, to Delphina and George Zardeneta. Raised with 10 siblings, he was very close with his family. His father worked as an accountant for a mining company, while his mother was a stay-at-home mom. When Oscar was 14, he moved to Southern California where he attended school in San Pedro and worked on the docks. He learned about fishing and hunting from his father and he enjoyed target shooting with his sister. His mother loved big gatherings, especially Christmas Eve. It was very difficult when his mother passed away at a young age before the war. In 1943, he voluntarily joined the United States Navy. As a Yeoman 2C, he saw a lot of the war and served in the South Pacific for three years. He was present for the signing of the Peace Treaty with Japan on September 2, 1945, which brought an end to World War II. Oscar finished his service honorably and returned home on May 4, 1946.

He quickly gained work as a Production Specialist in Vernon at the American Can Company, which manufactured tin cans and soda cans. Soon, he met a young lady who moved to Southern California from Boston. Her name was Marion. The couple started dating and married in June of 1947. Marion and Oscar had three children: Larry, Irene and Oscar. In 1950, they bought their first home in Norwalk, which remains in the family to this day. While he was strict, Oscar was a wonderful father and Marion was devoted to her family as well. Every Friday night they enjoyed movie and dinner night as a family. The kids also took part in the responsibilities around the home and Saturdays were for cleaning the house and mowing the lawn. Oscar bought a big regulation sized pool table for the kids and their friends could hang out at their home until curfew, which was 10 pm. He cared so much for his children that he provided a sound structure. When Larry was in Boy Scouts, Oscar got involved. He also went to City Council meetings to get non-profit organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, to be able to sell fireworks in the City of Norwalk. He taught the kids about saving money and paying for big-ticket items in cash instead of credit. He paid for his '57 Mercury and his '65 Ford in cash. One of his favorite sayings was, "If you can't afford to pay for it, you can't afford to have it." It was good advice and an important lesson that has trickled down through the generations.

Professionally, Oscar retired from the American Can Company and formed a corporation with his daughter, Irene. They called their company Zardeneta Investments and bought and sold real estate, doing much of the work themselves.

In 1979, Marion and Oscar moved to their home in LaPalma. The family had many wonderful pool parties and Father's Day parties at that home. Family was always the best thing in Oscar's life. He loved holidays spent with family. Christmas Eve was always a wonderful holiday for the extended family to get together. Larry and Linda held a big 25th anniversary celebration for Marion and Oscar at their home. It was wonderful as family gathered together and listened to a band play their favorite music. Oscar loved a variety of music. Irene and Gary took him to at least five Jimmy Buffett concerts and they also heard Frank Sinatra sing at a concert where they had seats in the fourth row at the MGM Grand. Oscar loved to read and recently renewed his subscription to National Geographic and PC Magazine, and he enjoyed reading the Kissinger Letters. He liked watching football, baseball and golf tournaments. Throughout his life, he loved golfing as he golfed two or three times a week for 50 years. Recently, he played golf with his son, Larry, his nephews, Albert, Ronnie and Mickey, and he shot his age. He also loved hunting and fishing.

In 2002, after Marion suffered a stroke, Oscar went to the hospital every morning and fed her breakfast. He helped with feedings and put lotion on her lips to keep them moist. It was a long illness, but he stayed by her side every day. After his wife passed away, if he wasn't golfing in Indian Wells or taking friends to dinner, he was spending time with his girlfriend, Yolanda. Every day of the week was busy for him. Tuesdays he had lunch with his sisters, Dell and Tinch. Wednesdays he golfed with Mike, Jerry and the doctor.

Oscar loved traveling and one year, he enjoyed four major vacations with his daughter, Irene, and her husband, Gary, going to Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. He liked going to the Colorado River with Irene and Gary to fish and hunt. In early August this year, only weeks ago, Oscar traveled to Montana for eight days to attend his grandson Michael's wedding. The day before he passed away, he took his grandson, Brian, on a trip to the Salton Sea area to go bird hunting. It was wonderful spending time together and they landed 8 doves. The following day, he was headed home and Irene kissed him on the lips and said, "See you later." He went home to rest. There were more travels planned with Irene and Gary to go on cruises and vacation in Boston and Maine. He had also been planning a trip to San Diego to go fishing. Oscar was an active man, who lived life.

As Oscar believed in God and Heaven, the family feels he has been reunited with Marion. Oscar Zardeneta will be remembered as a wonderful caretaker. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, wearing the tux he planned to wear on his next cruise. His family will miss everything about him now. Irene will miss her father, who was also her friend. Oscar's advice to his family: Be responsible for what you do in life. For a man who lived life his way, the song "My Way" by Frank Sinatra will be played as a tribute at his farewell.

Oscar was preceded in death by his wife Marion and several siblings. He is loved and remembered by his daughter Irene and her husband Gary; son Larry and his wife Linda; son Oscar and his wife Laura; 11 grandchildren Amy, Tim, Natalie, Jennifer, Brian, Katherine, Michael, Anthony, Duwayne, Debra, and Derek; brother David; sisters Delphina and Hortentia; many nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

As a veteran, memorial donations are welcome in Oscar Zardeneta's name to Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org, which builds better lives for America's Disabled Veterans.