Calvin E. (Red) Cardoza, 75, of Escalon, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House.

Calvin was born in Salida, California, on Feb 16, 1939. His family moved to a dairy on Lone Tree Road in Escalon when he was a young boy. He worked on the Van Allen Road family dairy until he graduated from Escalon High School and joined the United States Navy. He proudly served as an aircraft mechanic in the Navy. After his Navy commitment was completed, he returned to Escalon where he met and married Gail Vixie.

Calvin was employed as a mechanic until vision impairment forced his retirement at age 51. He then set up a small shop where he restored Ford tractors. He greatly appreciated the friends that stopped by the shop and invited him to lunch.

He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was particularly fond of deer hunting at Ravendale each fall.

His family was a source of great joy to him. He and Gail recently celebrated their 51st anniversary. He looked forward to summer “Granny Express” motorhome road trips with his grandsons. Though he was not able to see them play, he could be found in the stands at his grandsons’ sporting events getting the “play by play” from Gail.

Survivors include his wife, Gail Cardoza; daughters Jenni (Jim) Silveira of Escalon and Jan (Sean) Thompson of Philomath, Oregon; grandsons, Mathew Silveira and Stephen Silveira; and brother George (Joan) Cardoza.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Alexander Cohen Hospice House, Escalon Community Ambulance, or Escalon United Methodist Church.

For condolences to the family, visit www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.