Final Salute

David Louis Alderete

1956 – 2026

Dave, Monty and to his family Monie, was born on August 8, 1956, at Sisters Hospital in Santa Maria, CA. He attended and graduated from St. Mary Catholic Elementary School and St. Joseph Catholic High School.

He worked Summers in the fields with family members to help pay for his tuition at St Joseph High School.

He enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and served as a Seabee in the boiler room of ships and as a fire fighter. He was stationed in San Diego and San Francisco; CA., Adak, Alaska on the West coast and Richmond, Virginia on the East coast. He toured the Atlantic Ocean traveling to Greenland and the Mediterranean Sea. He was honorably discharged after four years and returned to Santa Maria. He worked nights stocking shelves at local grocery stores so that he could play baseball during the day, surf, bike, golf and bar-b-q with friends and family. Besides being an avid sportsman, he was a lifelong Los Angeles Dodger fan, just like our father. He resumed his education at Allan Hancock College and transferred to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduating with a degree in Kinesiology. He happily worked for 26 years at Santa Maria High School as an athletic trainer for all coed sports and as an independent studies teacher.

He volunteered Summers assisting other schools with their sports programs including Cuesta Community College, Cal Poly, St. Joseph High School and Allan Hancock Community College. Although he remained a life-long bachelor, he mentored his nephews, nieces, and many students, encouraging them in their education, sports and patriotism.

He was an active member of the St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church for 70 years.

He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, friends and his loving pets on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

He is survived by his three sisters and their families; Christine Alderete-Perkins (Ken Perkins) nephew Dominic (fiancé Rosalinda Ramos-Hernandez), sister Jane Michel (Pasqual Michel, recently deceased) nephew Joel (Heather) Savannah, Santino and Olivia and nephew Christian (Mira) and sister Roberta Alderete (Robert Hartung) niece Kathryn Alderete-Little, (Ryan Little) Lillian and Bryson.

He is also survived by his uncle George Garcia and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Esperanza Alderete.

His loyal pets, Joaquin (Jack) and Blanca whom he loved dearly will be cared for by his dear neighbor, Terry and friend, Steve.

The family truly appreciates the loving care he received from the Los Angeles Veterans’ Hospital and UCLA doctors and staff. He was lovingly cared for in his final days by Golden Hearts Caregivers Inc. and Central Coast Hospice.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 9:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to either:

The Fischer House that assists Veterans and their families. Make checks payable to :

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Please note on the check in the memo section:

For Fischer House Account – GPF2007

Mailing address:

VA GLA Healthcare System

Erma Mickens, Fischer House Manager

11301 Wilshire Blvd., Bldg 523, Mail Code 10A-F

Los Angeles, CA 90073

Or

to the SBhumane.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Santa Maria Times on Oct. 20, 2026.