Jesse "Lil Buddy" Mendoza 68, of Ralls passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025. He was born January 22, 1957, in Crosby County to Edward Mendoza Sr. and Guadalupe Mendez. Jesse worked as a rig runner for Hinton Well Service and worked as a truck driver for Bill Shields. He was a loving person who knew many people, he never met a stranger and always left a lasting impression with his sense of humor. Jesse loved hanging out with his friends, drinking with his friends and cheering for his Dallas Cowboys. His biggest passion was his family and spending time with them. He also loved watching and cheering for his grandkids at their sporting events. Jesse will be missed dearly by his friends and family.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Jesus Mendoza Jr., his sister, Connie Salazar, his brothers, Edward Mendoza Jr, Ted Mendoza, Johnny Mendoza, Carlos Mendoza, and his grandbabies, Kevin Mendoza Jr. and Isaac Jordan Mendoza.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Susie Mendoza; his daughters, , Jen Mendoza, Amanda Mendoza, Barbara Ybarra and husband Freddie, Danielle Lara and husband Jacob, Alexis Mendoza, Selena Flores; his sons, Jesse Mendoza Jr., Kevin Mendoza and wife Elizabeth; his sisters Mary Reyna, Rosalinda Mendoza; 20 grandchildren, Isaiah Mendoza, Makyla Mendoza, Moriah Mendoza, Jacob Mendoza, Blake Castillo, Evan Ramirez, Makynzie Mendoza, Nae Nae Castillo, Elias Ramirez, Marissa Delafuente, Josiah Castillo, Arianna Delafuente, Alyssa Delafuente, Mercedes Delafuente, King Mata, Makynly Mendoza, Jaiden Mendoza, Kaiden Mendoza, Azalynn Guzman, Nazai Guzman; and 4 great-grandchildren, Jakyias Torrez, Alaya Mendoza, Elijah Mendoza, and Kairo Mendoza.