Blaz Saucedo

Blaz Saucedo, life-long resident of Redlands, went to be with the Lord on December 27, 2012. He was 92. He is survived by his two sisters; Connie Valdez and Hope Marquez; his two daughters, Betty Almaraz and Yolanda Contreras (Joel Contreras); his son, Mario Saucedo (Maria Saucedo), and two daughters-in-law, Terry Saucedo and Teresa Saucedo. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is preceeded in death by his loving wife, Bessie Saucedo, and two sons, Chris and Ronald. Blaz was born on February 3, 1920 in Flagstaff, Arizona to Cristobal and Maria Saucedo. The Saucedo family moved to San Bernardino in 1928 where his father worked for the railroad. Blaz attended Ramona Elementary, Sturgess Jr. High and was a graduate of San Bernardino High School. Blaz and Bessie Saucedo were married on April 7, 1940. In 1941, he was selected to attend the Aircraft Repair Academy in San Diego. In 1942, he began working at Norton Air Force Base as one of the first employees. There he worked on aircraft repairs until he was drafted into the US Army on June 1, 1944. He served for two years as a medical aid-man and served our country during WWII. He was honorably discharged on January 17, 1946 at Ft. MacArthur in San Pedro, CA. In 1946, Blaz began working for the Department of Defense s missle program as a missle inspector. During that time, he worked with the Aerospace enterprises of General Electric and Lockheed Martin. He retired after 29 years of service at the age of 55. In 1975, Blaz began working as a job developer and counselor for the San Hidalgo Institute. Ten years later, at age 65, he began working as an Ambassador for Secure Horizons; and later went onto be a medical interpreter for Beaver Clinic. He offically retired at age 76. Blaz was also a retired co-pastor of Redlands Apostolic Church, where he served for 50 years. In 1951, he was ordained as a minister in the Apostolic Assembly in Otay, CA. He ministered at the San Bernardino Apostolic Church on 6th street for one year; and was then commissioned to open a new mission in Redlands alongside his father, Cristobal as Pastor, and his brother, Salvador as Deacon. Blaz served as co-pastor for the Redlands Apostolic Church at its first location on Lawton Street. The church was later relocated due to the I-10 freeway project to the current location at 1205 Texas Street. As co-pastor to his father and brother, Blaz was in the ministry for 50 years. In addition, he was also very involved in Sunday school and served as the Superintendent for the Interior District of the Inland Empire, as well as the Treasurer for the Men s Department. Other involvement in support of the church s endeavors included providing spiritual counsel for a new mission in Mentone, support for mission construction in Puerto Rico, and service as Patriarch of the Divine Strength Apostolic Center. His travels inculded trips to Germany, Israel, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Blaz s greatest pride and joy was his family his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his great-great-grandchild. Visitation and viewing will be held January 10, 2013 from 5pm-6pm, with services following from 6pm-8pm at Cathedral of Praise, 1521 S. Riverside Avenue, Rialto, CA 92376. Interment will be held January 11, 2013 at 12pm at Montecito Memorial Park in Loma Linda, CA.