Rosendo David Garibay
Obituary
Rosendo David passed peacefully the day before Christmas at his home in Palm Desert. At his home were his sons, daughters, and granddaughters who were providing for his care. He was born in Guadalupe, California on November 27,1932 to Eduardo and Magdalena Garibay.
As a young boy he worked to help make money for the family by shining shoes and other odd jobs. He completed Roosevelt School and Washington Middle School. He ran track and was part of the relay team that won at the state track meet for Salinas High.
He met his first wife Sara at Salinas High and after graduation they married and began to raise a family of 6 children. He became an apprentice carpenter and eventually became a well known General Contractor, in the building trade in Monterey County. Rosendo was the first Mexican American in Monterey County to sit on the State Contractors Board. He was a building instructor, inspector and entrepreneur.
Rosendo, with his second wife of 43 years Rolanda, owned Garibay's Exxon and Mini Mart, Chendo's Restaurant, Tower Plaza, Dos Amigas Restaurant and Burger Queen in Gonzales, CA. He served as building inspector for Scotts Valley, Soledad, Gonzales and Public Works Director of Gonzales then served as Mayor of Gonzales. After retirement Rosendo and his wife Rolanda with daughter Christina left Gonzales and they enjoyed living between the home he built in San Felipe, Mexico, San Diego and finally settling in Palm Desert, CA.
He was always there to help the family whenever there was a building project through phone consultation or just his words of encouragement.
Clubs and affiliations: Lions Club, Elks and served as President of the Rotary Club '93 '94, and Knights of Columbus.
He is preceded in death by Rolanda (wife), Eduardo and Magdelena (parents), Paul, Isaac, Ruben (brothers) and Isabel Magdelano (sister).
He is survived by brother, Raul (Yolonda); children and spouses, David (JoAnne), Beatrice Peck, Alex (Kristie), Denise Garibay Reynoso (Javier), Willie (Stacey), Grace Toft (Jim) and Christina.
The rest of his Garibay Family consists of 28 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 11 great great grandchildren.
Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · January 9, 2026