Fernando Vela Jr Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Fernando Vela Jr (aka Fred) Fred was born April 17, 1932 in Monterrey, Mexico and moved to McAllen, Texas as an infant. While at college in Terre Haute, IN he met Virginia (Jini) Fravel. They were married May 30, 1952 while Fred served in the US Navy. He hitch-hiked all the way from Norfolk, VA to Terre Haute for the wedding. In 1957 he graduated with a chemical engineering degree from Oklahoma State and moved with his young family to California to begin a career in the aerospace industry. He was a compassionate, giving, and gracious man of faith. Fred loved his Lord, family and country. He served as an elder in the church, and was very civic-minded. He co-authored a book on the history of Calvary Community Church in San Jose, CA. In the early 1970's he and Jini felt a call on their lives to be missionaries. They disposed of their earthly goods and with four children, made Youth with a Mission (YWAM), Hurlach, Germany their new home. Ultimately Fred retired from Lockheed Martin after returning to the US and resumed his chemical engineering career. Fred leaves a daughter Stephanie Diane, and four sons, Fernando Leonelo III (aka Fred), Stephen Rene, Philip Todd, and Michael Drew. He also leaves seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Invitation to Fred's Celebration of Life A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday January 13 at 1:00 p.m. The location is Calvary Chapel San Jose, 1175 Hillsdale Ave in San Jose 95118 Celebration of LifeCalvary Chapel San Jose1175 Hillsdale AveSan Jose, CA 95118 Saturday, January 13, 2018 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Fernando Vela Jr

April 17, 1932 - November 16, 2017