David Esteban Mendoza

David Esteban Mendoza, 71, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, surrounded by his wife and daughters after a hard-fought battle against bladder cancer.

David’s life was guided by his Catholic faith and his core values of integrity, hard work, and humility. His greatest source of pride was being the provider for his family. He was incredibly generous in the many ways he gave and showed his love.

David was born on September 5, 1954, in Puerto Rico. He was the second son of Joaquin Mendoza and Gladys Grafals, little brother to Noel, and big brother to Eliel and Odemaris. His youth was marked by days spent exploring the family farm with his brothers, tinkering with and racing cars around town, and becoming an accomplished organist. David was always very disciplined and excelled academically, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering.

He married the love of his life, Carmen, in 1975. The two of them raised three strong-willed, independent daughters. They planted roots in Orlando, where David built a career in the aerospace industry spanning more than 40 years. The family later moved to Georgia so David could pursue a new opportunity in the field, where he spent the next 24 years as a widely respected expert on military aircraft systems. He spent his well-deserved retirement years enjoying family time, snapping photographs of nature and his grandkids, and taking long walks at his favorite local parks.

Above all, David was a devoted husband to his wife of 51 years, and the best, most supportive dad any of his girls could ask for. He was adored by his grandkids and all who met him. David was a man of intention and lived each day with purpose. He was always working on a project or looking for a problem that needed solving. It simply wasn’t in him to sit still or rest. He was also a man of faith and was proud to serve as an usher at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta, where he was a loyal parishioner for over 30 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carmen, and their three daughters: Michelle, Gretchen, and Kristie. He will be deeply missed by his four grandchildren, Isaac, Evan, Mateo, and Camila. David’s memory will live on through his family, whose lives have been shaped by his love, guidance, generosity, and support.

A funeral mass to celebrate David’s life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2006, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marietta, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Muscular Dystrophy Association, two organizations David held close to his heart.