Clemente Martin Barajas

Clemente Martin Barajas died on December 22, 2024 in his home in Riverside, California. Clemente was also known to family and friends as junior. He was born on October 11, 1942, to Clemente and Julia Barajas, owners of the historical Shoestring mom and pop Market. The market was located on Carson and Western Avenue in city of Torrance.

Clemente as a young boy worked in the family market, his first job. Later as an adult he worked with his father and older brothers in a family-owned construction company called “Barajas Paving” doing roads, drainage, block walls, driveways for many local cities in Los Angeles, mostly in Redondo, Torrance, and Palos Verdes.

On April 28, 1962 Clemente M. Barajas married Martha Reyes from Wilmington California, at Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Wilmington California. The bride and groom were 19 years old and resided in Torrance, California behind the Shoestring Market there was a single two-bedroom house. During this time, the Barajas surname was our family- the only Barajas’ in Torrance in the entire yellow pages telephone directory.

In 1973 Clemente M. Barajas married Maria Guadalupe Lopez his second marriage and they lived in Santa Ana, CA. for several years and then moved and lived in Riverside CA. until his death. They also became married through the catholic church at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Santa Ana, CA. Clemente and Maria Guadalupe were married for 51 years until his death.

Clemente M. Barajas in the late 60’s and 70’s was the main contractor for Lion Country Safari Wild Animal Park in Irvine California. Clemente worked for several different Lion Country Safari locations throughout United States working under his own general contractor’s license. Clemente also became a licensed realtor.

Clemente was rich with unconditional love from his children. Clemente always had time for his children and enjoyed them, laughter and giving guidance. He understood his relationship with our Lord, he stood strong in his faith all his life.

Clemente had seven siblings all together: Albert Barajas, John Barajas, Vera Quiones (Barajas), Josephine Magdaleno (Barajas), Christina Barajas, and Ramon Barajas.

Children: Susana (Barajas), (spouse Joaquin Sanchez-Lugo); Cynthia Barajas (spouse Josie Flores (Barajas); Sandra Arciniega (Barajas), (spouse Efrain Arciniega); Clemente Barajas, (spouse Iliana Rivera (Barajas); Lorena Ruiz (Barajas), (spouse Reynaldo Ruiz); Liliana Bonilla (Barajas), (spouse Juan Bonilla); Julia Roy Barajas; Josephine Roy Barajas (predeceased); Luis Armando Lopez Perez (spouse Vivian Perez); and Vivian Ethel Ordonez Perez.

Grandchildren: Melody D. Roper, Wendy J. Espindola; and Martin Martinez, Rebecca Martinez, David Martinez, Monica Martinez, Daniel Martinez; and Andres Barajas, Andrea Barajas, Jimena Barajas; and Noel Ruiz, Isaac Ruiz; and Abel Cruz Perez; and Isaiah Rivera; and Alyssa Rivera, Alysia Perez

Great-Grandchildren: Xavier Torres, Sophia Torres, Noah Torres, Ezekiel Martinez, Emmanuel Martinez, Emma Zavala, Anabella Zavala, and Jack Brignac