Ismael Rangel Vargas of Nicolaus, California, passed away peacefully in his home on June 11, 2022. Born in Michoacan, Mexico on September 24, 1934, Ismael joined thousands of Mexican immigrants coming to the United States in the early 1950s as part of the Bracero Program which permitted them to work legally in this country, many of whom worked in agriculture. As a Bracero, he worked in California and several other states under extremely difficult conditions where workers were poorly treated and paid meager wages. As hard as this experience was for him he endured the work because he believed this would lead to better opportunities, including becoming a US citizen which he did in 1994. He eventually settled in Rio Oso, with his wife (Hermelinda R. Vargas, deceased 2014) and his 11 children.

For nearly 30 years he worked as a foreman on the Taresh Farm and other orchards in the Rio Oso and Nicolaus area. He taught himself successful farming techniques and farming became a labor of love in which he took great pride. He often said that fruit trees were similar to the human body; they both needed the same kind of care in order to thrive. Ismael and Hermelinda also grew a variety of fruit trees and vegetables at the family home (known to the family as "El Rancho") much of which continues to be enjoyed three generations later.

Fishing was one of his joys and he almost always brought home striper, salmon, steelhead trout and other fish from Rio Vista, Bullards Bar and from the San Francisco Bay. Sadly in the last few years, he was unable to get out on the water to fish but his family would like to think he's up in heaven catching lots of big ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, four siblings and his daughter Rafaela Vargas.

He is survived by his sisters, Luisa Rangel and Reyna Villasenor of Mexico, his children Guadalupe Vargas, Ismael Vargas, Teresa Vargas, Adelina Ceja, Francisco Vargas, Rosa Silva, Carmen Vargas, Delfina Vargas, Jorge Vargas and Elda Mercado as well as 17 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Mass will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at St Joseph Catholic Church in Marysville.
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