August 29, 1951 - August 9, 2025
Arturo Vera, 73 of Stockton California crossed the bar August 9th, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He never gave up- even when the odds were against him. He passed peacefully, in love and comfort surrounded by his family and friends. Arturo was born in Mexico to Hermilo and Bertha Vera, he was part of a championship soccer league, played the snare in a marching band and loved the rodeo. Upon immigrating to the United States, he joined the Navy and served six tours to Vietnam aboard the WWII era carrier USS Oriskany. After his military service, he put himself through school at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, studying photography. Throughout his 50 year career in the arts he expertly navigated the genres of photo journalism, commercial photography, modeling, wedding photography and fine art photography. He exuded this passion for art in its many forms to anyone who met him. He received a number of prestigious awards such as the coveted Photographic Technical Excellence Award dubbed the “Silver Cindy” from the Information Film Producers of America as well as the “Best in the West” Fest Award for the multi-Image category. In 2013 he was a Star Awards recipient for Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts photography from the Stockton Arts Commission. His kind eyes and wide smile let you know he was someone you could trust, learn from, and be friends with. He, along with his wife, was founding director of Art Expressions of San Joaquin, the nonprofit we all know and love that is committed to mentoring, encouraging and supporting artists ages 2 to 102. He is survived by his energizer bunny of a wife Ana Vera of Stockton, his firstborn daughter Monique (Jeff), sons Sebastian (Toby), Julian (Angelica), youngest daughter Alejandra and 7 grandchildren as well as his loving siblings and extended family. Not to mention the hundreds of friends he made during the last 24 years of his life in Stockton where he felt welcomed and embraced.
A funeral mass celebration will be held at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton on Thursday, August 21 at 10:45 AM in the morning with a reception to follow.
All are welcome to come and celebrate Arturo and to pay their respects.
Contributions in Arturo’s name may be sent to Art Expressions of San Joaquin County, the Michael J. Fox Foundation or a nonprofit of your choice.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Vera family.