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Helder Manuel Avelar
December 10, 1951- May 13, 2020
Helder Avelar obit pic
Helder Manuel Avelar, 68, passed away on May 13, 2020 in Modesto, California. He is survived by his loving wife, of 36 years, Sandy and four children, Eric Souza, Jessica (George) Valim, Zachary Avelar and Maxwell Avelar, all of Manteca.  He was blessed with three grandchildren, Manuel, Mariah and Dominic Valim. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Leona Alkire, sister-in-law Carla (Rocky) Pitts of Oregon, brother-in- law Larry (Libby) Alkire of Oklahoma, brother-in-law Steve Beaver, special cousins, Mary (Manuel) Jesus and family, Camilla Nunes and family, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Eduino and Maria Avelar, sister-in-law, Kay Beaver, and niece, Sara Pitts.
   A true family man, Helder enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He would work the late shift at Savemart which afforded him the privilege of taking his grandkids to school each day, which was the highlight of his day.
   He was a proud graduate of Tracy High School, graduating in 1971, where he excelled at football and baseball.  He enjoyed many years of coaching his sons and daughter through Little League, Babe Ruth and softball in Manteca.  Most of his coaching years were spent coaching with his buddy, the late Hector Rodriguez, where they coached their sons and teammates, having the time of their lives.  
   He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church of Manteca, on Center St. He mowed the church lawn for years and  people recognized him as he worked, honking as they drove by or stopping to talk to him while walking. He was kind, friendly, and never met a stranger.  He was a hard worker, working for Safeway Meat Processing in Stockton for 17 years until their closure, then starting over with Savemart in Manteca and Lathrop, working 20 plus years and never retiring.  He loved talking to customers and always tried to make sure to get a cookie from the bakery for little kids when they came into the store, including his grandbabies.    
   He will be remembered as the greatest, most loving husband, father, and grandfather, and to most, the nicest man you will ever meet with an easy going spirit and completely devoted to his family. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
  Thank you to Diamond Kinlaw and family for all their help during our time of sorrow.
   P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Avelar Family. A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts, can soon be sent to the Helder Avelar Memorial Baseball Scholarship Fund@Tracy High School, which is still in the process of being established.  Please check www.plfryandson.com  online condolence book for any updates or email mzavelar683@yahoo.com

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Thursday, May 21, 2020