Simply CremationBernardino Castañeda Jr.
Bernardino Castañeda Jr. also known as Bernie or “Pumpkin” was born on September 10th, 1952 in Laramie, Wyoming to Bernardino Castañeda Sr. and Elvira M. Castañeda. He was raised in Wyoming, Alaska, and New Mexico until 1966. Bernie graduated from San Gorgonio High School in 1970, where he was an athlete in track and field and cross country.
He was a hard worker and carried on a long career with Santa Fe Railroad, retiring from there in 2014. Bernie worked a few other jobs along the way, Bridgewater and Joshua Excavating are a few. He had a love for country music and rodeos. After retirement, Bernie moved to Arizona where he lived out the rest of his years. He passed away in Phoenix, Arizona on July 5th, 2022.
He is preceded in death by his father, Bernardino Castañeda Sr. He is survived by his mother, Elvira M. Castañeda, 6 siblings, and his children: eldest, Naomi Gooden, his youngest Bernardino Castañeda III, and two stepchildren he raised as his own: Jesse Beckley and Minta Garcia. He has a total of 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A family memorial is being planned; pending date and time.
My sincerest condolences to the family of Mr. Castañeda Jr . Thinking of you all, and wish you moments of peace and comfort during this time.
My deepest condolences go out to the whole family ❤️ We all loved him and he will be missed. Heaven gained another Angel 😇
Wow. I knew you since I was 6. And you treated me the same as you did your sister, Lena. That always was cool. Godspeed on your next adventure in the heavenly places. Lots of Love to you, you will be very missed.
Still in shock Pumpkin, wish I had gotten to know the man you had become. Still can picture your smiling face, granted, it’s a teenage face, but one full of energy and humor. Last time, you and I spent anytime together was at my wedding. All the ladies there wanted to know “Who is that?”
Rest In Peace my Nephew
My sincere condolences to the Family!
Pumpkin was one of a kind to say the least.
He definitely keeped the gang on there toes.
RIP Punpkin
A little more than a month has passed. I still feel sick. It does not feel right that you are gone Dad. I’m sorry we didn’t get to say goodbye. For a lot of things. I know you are too. It gave me peace to find your Bible on your kitchen table with multiple bookmarks. I know we didn’t have a perfect life. I don’t think anyone does. But I can’t imagine life without having you as my Dad growing up. Hearing your whistle when dark hit and it was time to run home, sitting on the couch watching tv with a huge pot of fresh popcorn, long nights at the ball field, lots of memories at grams & gramps. And even though we had some tough times over the past few years I’m thankful we got to have you here with us. We all love you Dad, missing you. I’ll see you again one day ♥️