Optaciano Meraz

Optaciano Meraz
July 7, 1935 – December 10, 2017

Optaciano Meraz passed away peacefully December 10, 2017 at his home in Indio, California surrounded by his loving family. Optaciano, a.k.a., "Opty", "Paisa", "Pachano", was born in Brawley, California to Optaciano Meraz and Lucy (Rodriguez) Meraz on July 7, 1935. Opty grew up in Brawley and came to the Coachella Valley when he was ten years old. He attended local schools and graduated Coachella Valley High School in 1954 and continued with some classes at College of the Desert. Opty was drafted to the United States Army, 1st Calvary Division and served in Korea June of 1958 – June 1960 and continued serving in the Reserves until June of 1964. Opty married Esther (Flores) on November 18, 1960 and lived in Coachella before moving to his ranch on Avenue 58 in Thermal. Opty was employed with the Mosquito Abatement for 46 years as a mechanic and a member of the California GBA and officer for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his daughter Diane Meraz. He is survived by his wife Esther of 57 years, his son Ron (wife Denise (Salgado)), daughter Anita Meraz-Cardenas, (husband Mike Cardenas), 8 grandchildren, Michael, Juan, Katrina, Jesi, Amanda, Samantha, Stephanie, and Giovanni, and 7 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 47225 Washington St, La Quinta, CA. A Rosary will begin at 9:30 AM and Mass at 10:00 AM. Inurnment with military honors will be held after Mass at the Coachella Valley Cemetery, 82-925 Avenue 52, Coachella, California. Doors will close after 9:30 and re-open after the Rosary for the Mass. Flowers may be sent to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.