Uriel Mendiola Zepeda

Uriel Mendiola Zepeda was a lively and joyful young person whose energy and love of music stood out to family and friends. At 15 years old he enjoyed dancing — music and movement were part of how he expressed himself, and relatives recalled buying him MP3 players so he could carry his favorite songs wherever he went. Those who knew Uriel describe him as “always happy,” quick to smile and with an enthusiasm that made ordinary moments feel brighter.

Family described Uriel as protective of his younger siblings; that caring instinct helped shape how his relatives remember him most. He moved easily among friends and family, bringing a playful presence to gatherings and often filling time with laughter or a dance. These small, everyday parts of Uriel’s life — music, motion, and devotion to family — are the details loved ones have chosen to hold onto.

After his death on July 15, 2020, relatives and community members gathered to grieve and remember him. Local groups and the Diocese of San Jose coordinated memorial and prayer activities honoring his life, and friends created fundraising pages to help the family with funeral needs and arrangements. Though public reporting of the circumstances surrounding his death exists, the focus here is on Uriel’s life: a young person who loved to move and to care for those closest to him.

Uriel’s memory lives in the stories his aunt and family tell: of a boy who danced to his own soundtrack, who protected his siblings, and who brought light into others’ lives. Those who loved him continue to honor him with music, prayer, and quiet remembrance, keeping alive the joy he carried in life.