Clemente Hurtado

Clemente Rodriguez Hurtado, was born on May 17, 1942, in Jalisco, Mexico, to Clemente Hurtado and Juana Rodriguez. Clemente, passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016, on his Kingsburg ranch at the age of 74.

Clemente is survived by his wife of 36 years, Socorro and 13 children; Clement Jr, Frederick, Jeannie, Elizabeth, Liza, Victor, Alvaro, Juanita, Maria, Lupita, Beatriz, and Ruby and preceded in death by his son Robert. He is also survived by his 22 grandchildren; Desiree, Jeremy, Cornelio, Virginia, Robert, Celeste, Vanessa, Frederick, Sabrina, Leah, Andy, Jeannie, Daniel, Danielle, Jaden, Brianne, Sierra, Angelica, Logan, Vincent, Juliana (Due July 2016) and Baby Hurtado (Due October 2016). Clemente is also survived by 14 great grandchildren; Sheratyn, Daphnee, Sheedyn, Drake, Harper, Johnny, Vincent, Dru, Kaylee, Abby, Courtney, Charlotte, Benny, and Jude.

As a tireless farmer, Clemente would spend his days tending to the crops and orchards. He shared his passion for farming with his family and made sure his wife and daughters learned everything about farming as well. He took pride in his work and the idea of retirement was never an option for him. He labored wholeheartedly to the very end and enjoyed every minute of time spent on his ranch.

Clemente loved horses and the excitement and risks of horse racing. In the prime of his horse racing career he had a race track in which he would race his horses against the fastest horses, and often be the underdog that won. Throughout his lifetime he owned over twenty horses and had a corrido written about a grand race that he ended losing in. Later in life he spent free time watching horse races on TVG and dreamed of having a thoroughbred horse in the future. Racing horses was his favorite hobby, along with his small, yet persistent hobby of gambling. He enjoyed trips to Los Alamitos to watch his horse, Zendaya, race and do a little gambling while away from the ranch. Anticipation was created to pay-per view boxing events and NFL football games by adding a little wager into the mix. If there wasn't something to bet on, he would form his own event. It wasn't uncommon for Clemente to challenge people to a foot race or an arm wrestling match for a mere wager.

Clemente had a kind heart and helped people any way he could without expectation of anything in return. Even if someone took advantage of his generosity, he continued to give. He didn't have it in him to turn anybody away. It is this depth of generosity and his love of family that in 2014, he became a Licensed Foster Parent and opened his home to foster children. He and his wife made the important decision of becoming the permanent guardians of two foster children. He cared for and loved his adopted children as if they were his own.

Although Clemente will be missed by many, his memory and legacy will live on through his family.

Visitation and Rosary of Catholic faith will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1725 Smith Street, Kingsburg, CA 93631 beginning at 4:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. followed by burial at Kingsburg Cemetery, 12782 E. Clarkson Avenue, Kingsburg, CA 93631.