Popi - Bejarano Family Site

•    Random Silvia Pics #1
•    Some of Ted's favorite Popi-pics
•    Pics from Photographer

Pedro Bejarano passed away in his Torrance, California, home on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, at the age of 89, due to complications following a stroke he suffered three weeks prior.

Pedro was born on May 30th, 1934, in Honda, Colombia, to his parents, Pedro and Alicia Bejarano. He met the love of his life, Ruby Bejarano, and they were married on December 6th, 1958.

Pedro and Ruby had their first three children, Gladys, Ricardo, and Silvia, in Bogota, Colombia. Pedro immigrated to the United States in 1963 with $16 in his pocket in the middle of November. After facing various challenges, including dangerous jobs and living in questionable conditions, he eventually brought his family to Jackson Heights, Queens, New York in 1964. Despite these hardships, Pedro and Ruby pressed on, working multiple odd jobs to assimilate into the "American Dream."

In 1965, two milestones occurred for Pedro and Ruby; their fourth child, Fernando, was born in January, and later that year, Pedro began his journey in the aviation industry with Pan American Airlines in fleet service. By 1972, Pedro was already an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for Pan Am when they relocated him to LAX International Airport. He drove his family, with the cat Mitchy, cross country to Torrance, California. After Pan Am shuttered their airline in 1990, Pedro continued working as an A&P mechanic for a few different carriers before settling into a solid position with FedEx Air Service in 1996. Upon his retirement from Federal Express in June 2021, at the age of 87, Pedro had completed almost 55 years as an “Airframe and Powerplant” mechanic. He was fondly referred to as “The Encyclopedia” at the airport hanger, where many of the younger mechanics sought his counsel on what is termed “Old School” wisdom and knowledge.

Pedro was a devout Catholic, proud Colombian, as well as patriotic United States citizen. He always shed real tears of appreciation when singing The Star-Spangled Banner. Pedro loved being a citizen of the United States, but he also loved his native country, Colombia. At the time of his passing, he was working on acquiring dual citizenship for Colombia and the USA.

Pedro's influence and love are also recognized by his commitment and participation in the church at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Strong in spirit, Pedro's presence and support will be deeply missed.

His wife, Ruby, passed away in 2017. When Pedro was 1 year old, his mother died, and his father remarried shortly after, resulting in four half-brothers and two half-sisters. Unfortunately, four of them preceded Pedro in death. Left to honor Pedro and cherish his memory are his four children, Dr. BJ Jennewein (Gladys Bejarano), Richard (Ricardo) Bejarano, Silvia Minshall (Bejarano), and Fernando Bejarano, his twelve grandchildren, plus his two surviving half-siblings, Ines and Oscar, in addition to many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and the soon to be first great grandchild that he nick-named GG, for Great Grand-Daughter.

Family, friends, and those whose lives Pedro touched are invited to a viewing from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5th, at Lighthouse Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Boulevard, 90503. A rosary will be held at 5:00 p.m. Flowers can be donated to the address above. However, Pedro's wish was for charitable donations to St. Jude's Hospital in his memory in lieu of flowers.

Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe church, 244 Prospect Avenue, Hermosa Beach, 90254, on Saturday, January 6th, at 10:30 a.m. The burial will take place at 12:15 p.m., Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 South Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes 90275. A celebration of life will be announced at a later time.