Armando 'Hondo' Enriquez Sr.

Armando “Hondo” Enriquez Sr., 62, of Othello, died peacefully Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane, with his family around him, and in the loving arms of his wife and soul mate Jeannie.

Hondo was born in Bakersfield, Calif., on Sept. 21, 1946, to Adolfo and Rosa DelaRosa Enriquez. When his father passed away suddenly in 1963, his family moved to Othello to find work. In 1964, he met Geneva “Jeannie” Ochoa. They married in Eltopia on Feb. 28, 1970. Hondo drove a “big rig” for PJ Taggerres for 10 years then they moved to the Tri Cities where he drove for Lay Rite Products for 20 years. When the company closed Hondo moved his family back to Othello where he opened up Hondo LLC Trucking Co. He drove for 15 years until his health removed him from the drivers seat, for what he thought was a temporary time.

Hondo was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and had been a long time member of the Teamsters Local out of the Tri Cities.

His passion was his family, being a good example and great friend. He was an avid landscape artist, changing the yard layout and the gardens often.

He will be remembered as a man who never met a stranger and built many strong friendships with a simple conversation.

His family will remember him as a dream support, telling them that anything is possible if you work towards it. He supported his wife in her dream to return to school and achieve her education degree.

Hondo was preceded in death by his father, a sister Margaret and a Niece Angela. He is survived by his mother Rosa of Othello, his wife Jeannie of Othello, a daughter Mary Smith (Jim) of Pasco, four sons, Vincent Enriquez of Pasco, Michael Enriquez of Othello, Armando JR (Traci) of Kennewick and Brian (Shannon) of Kennewick, his best friend Charlie May of Spokane, three brothers Albert and Fred of Bakersfield and Adolph of Othello, two sisters Amalia Sanchez of Othello and Odelia Chacon of Bakersfield, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, a special niece Rose Jensen and nephew Adam Compean as well as numerous family and friends whom he dearly loved.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens. Services have been entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel.

You are invited to sign the guest book and leave a note for the family at stevensfuneralchapel.com.

Memorials are suggested to an account set up in Armando Enriquez Jr.’s name at US Bank to defray medical and funeral costs.