Cleofas Rodriguez Larez

Cleofás “Cleo” Lárez, 91, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020 after a month-long battle with pneumonia.

Born on September 25, 1928 in San Francisco Del Oro, Chihuahua, Mexico,  Cleo was forced to learn the value of hard work at a very young age.   He immigrated to the United States when he was only seventeen years old. He would spend the rest of his life learning to love all aspects of American culture, from Western movies, to hamburgers, to baseball. Becoming an American citizen was a very proud accomplishment for Cleo. He worked hard to help other members of his family immigrate to the United States legally, so they too could experience the American Dream.

Cleo met his soulmate, Angelina, in 1951 in McNary, Texas.  Cleo was staying at a boardinghouse, and Angie worked in the boardinghouse, serving meals to guests. They eloped and spent the next 67 years living in holy matrimony, serving as an example of true love for everyone that knew them. They moved to Madera in 1957, where they were active members of Iglesia el Calvario then Evangelical Free Church for many years.

Cleo will be remembered for his incredible work ethic and his commitment to his family. He spent almost his entire lifetime working in agriculture, including a nearly 40-year stint as a foreman for Kayian Ranch. He rose early every morning, eager to do honest work and be productive. He claimed hard work was the secret to his long life and good health. On the very rare occasion when Cleo was not working, he loved watching horse races and the Pittsburg Steelers.

Cleo was preceded in death by his wife, Angelina Lárez.

He is survived by his seven children, Norma Bernál, Sally Muñoz and her husband Leonard, Armida Roberts and her husband Myron, Sandra Morin, Liz Gómez and her husband Rick, Eva Chávez and her husband David, and Adam Lárez and his wife Lorena. He is also survived by his sister, Merced Lárez Aguirre, his 14 grandchildren, his 15 great-grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.