Francisco Vasquez Zavala

Francisco "Frank" Zavala, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, passed away surrounded by family on June 7, 2025, in Clovis, California, at the age of 90. His life was one of hard work and determination, joy, love and unwavering commitment to his family.

Born on September 25, 1934, in Gomez Farias, Coahuila, Mexico. Francisco grew up as the oldest of eight siblings with the mindset of hard work and determination. Immigrating as a young man, he and his family spent years traveling and working throughout the southern and western United States as migrant farm workers. His family would settle first in Texas and then in California's Central Valley. It was when the family settled in Donna, Texas, that he met his future wife Antonia. They were wed on June 7, 1959, in Donna, Texas. The family eventually settled in Sanger, California, where Francisco and Antonia started their family and raised five children.

Hard work and a self-taught man, Francisco worked in the fields while at the same time educating himself. His education paid off as he went from being a field worker to a maintenance mechanic/engineer at a frozen food processing plant. While working as a maintenance mechanic he learned how to weld, engineer, fabricate, and electrically wire equipment such as food conveyors and processing systems. His learning and skills did not stop there. His passion for learning extended beyond work, shaping the home he built for his family. He bought his first two bedroom home on a half-acre lot that he remodeled and built into a three bedroom home plus a full suite for his parents to live in. During the remodeling process he learned carpentry, concrete work, plumbing, and home electrical wiring. Eventually, he would have his own small business as a home builder and handyman.

In 1973, Francisco became a U.S. citizen, an accomplishment that he was proud of. Then in 1991, he earned his GED from Sanger High Adult Education. Another very proud moment for him and his family. Francisco had varied interests and hobbies. His greatest joy was his love for his children. Using his engineering and fabrication skills he created a literal playground for his kids. He built a merry go-round from a straight axle of a car. He built a tetherball pole from an old tire and metal pole, and put up a basketball hoop and a swing set. Other hobbies included BBQs with family at home or at the local lakes. He loved to go fishing and boating on the lake with the kids and family whenever he could.

He enjoyed walking and exercising daily, attending his grandkids soccer games, baseball games, driving his grandkids to and from elementary school and Jr. High School, going for walks with grandkids and grandma, taking the kids to the pool, and attending family events. He loved helping his children with different home projects and just being there for them when needed. His love for learning never stopped he read, wrote, and performed math his entire life. He was a man of strong will and determination.

Francisco is survived by; his sons, Jose Guadalupe "Lupito" Zavala (Debbie) of Clovis, CA, Arturo "Art" Zavala of Clovis, CA; and his daughter Emma Zavala, of Fresno, CA. His grandchildren, Joseph Guadalupe Zavala, Michael David Zavala, and Nathan Ramirez. He is also survived by his step-grandchildren, Veronica Behringer and Vincent Bustamante.  He is also survived by his siblings: Benedicta Motta of Fresno, CA, Audelia Bazan of Waxahachie, Tx, Guadalupe Zavala of Sanger, CA and Jose Zavala of Fresno, CA. He is preceded in death by his wife, Antonia Zavala; sons, Francisco Zavala Jr. and David Zavala; parents Juan and Margarita Zavala; stepmother, Teresa Zavala; brother, Fernando Zavala; brother, Heliodoro Zavala; and sister, Margarita Valdez.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Francisco set an example for his children and grandchildren—to live productive, fulfilling lives filled with love, no matter the challenges.

Flowers may be sent to the Sanger Cemetery, or memorial gifts may be made in Francisco's name to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.