Cesar Memorial V2

Cesar Augusto Martinez DeVargas, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2025, at the age of 90. Born in Lima, Peru, on March 17, 1934, to Cesar Martinez Vargas and Melani Mayorga Martinez Vargas, he was the eldest of five siblings and six half siblings. Cesar was a family man through and through who loved deeply and unconditionally. He had a deep faith and love for the Lord, which was evident in the way he lived and treated others.

Cesar’s early education was in a private Catholic school, and later he attended a military boarding school throughout high school. More than just academics, this school played a significant role in shaping his character and values, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline, integrity, and fortitude.

At the age of 25, Cesar immigrated to the U.S. with only $120 in his pocket, no job, and no knowledge of English. He quickly put the values he learned in military school to the test. He found work as a busboy at Tommy’s Joynt in San Francisco where he began to learn English and embraced the value of hard work. Determined to build a better future, Cesar began taking drafting courses and soon became a draftsman, paving the way for a long and successful career in mechanical engineering in the nuclear and fossil fuel power industries.

Cesar was known for his love of photography, which at one point became a semi-profession. You could often find him with his camera around his neck ready to capture a person’s profile, ornate architecture, or a vibrantly colored flower. His family is thankful that over the years he captured thousands of images which preserve the times of their lives.

Another of his true passions was the game of soccer (or fútbol!). He grew up playing the sport and, during their early years, introduced the game to his kids, even coaching them at different times. He loved watching his kids play even as they continue the sport as adults. He enjoyed the games on TV especially during the World Cup.

Cesar loved reading! He could be found early in the morning with his newspaper and coffee, and later in the evening with one of his many news magazines. If you ever needed to buy a product, you were sure to ask him first so he could consult his Consumer Reports magazine. His love of reading included the Bible, which he read cover to cover every year over the past 30 years. There are so many other interests he had: the arts, music, science, and philosophical conversations. And let’s not forget Chinese food! He loved that cuisine and was even skilled in preparing it. He used to joke that he was a reincarnated person from China.

In 1963, just a few years after arriving in the U.S., he met a shy, young, blonde-haired and blue-eyed beauty at a work party. He was smitten from the start and asked her out, to which she said yes. Within six short months, they were married and over the next six years, had three children. In July of 2024 they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary, a testament to his and wife Sharon’s enduring love, bond, and dedication to each other. On August 15, 1967, Cesar became a U.S. citizen. Although he always had a deep love for his homeland, Peru, he was very proud to be an American and embrace the opportunities this country afforded him as an immigrant.

Cesar’s faith in Jesus, while introduced at a young age, really took hold of his heart in his 50s when he surrendered his life to Christ. A transformation took place that only God could do, turning Cesar into a real servant for the Kingdom. He helped in the Spanish ministry at church and went on several mission trips to Central and South America to help with the language barrier. There was also a time when he could be found on Saturdays at Gospel Lakes, a camp for inner city kids, where he would speak to the Spanish-speaking parents telling them about Jesus while their kids were busy with activities.

Cesar was a friend to all and well-loved by those who had the privilege of calling him friend. His character and values were instilled in his children and those who were close to him, leaving his legacy to be carried on. His love and guiding wisdom extended to his siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family, all of whom were touched by his strong presence in their lives.

Cesar is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathy Sanchez, brothers, Jorge and Antonio Martinez-Vargas, and half-brother Armando Martinez-Vargas. He is survived by his caring and devoted wife Sharon Fulk DeVargas, his children Robert DeVargas (Rebecca), Michelle Lawrence (Kendall), and Kimberly Winblood (Jim); grandchildren: Katie Mendiola (Marshall), Nathan Lawrence, Sean Lawrence, Braden DeVargas (Kaitlyn), Blakely Winblood, and Maddy Winblood; great-grandchild: Jack Mendiola. He is also survived by his sister Melani Nelly Barry and half-siblings Fernando Martinez-Vargas, Mario Martinez-Vargas, Itala Martinez-Vargas, Arturo Martinez-Vargas, and Maria Antonietta Martinez-Vargas.