Chris "Topher" Cajas

Chris (TOPHER) Gary Cajas Jr.

Chris Gary Cajas Jr. (Topher) 52 of Arroyo Grande, CA passed away on

November 13, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at Stanford

Hospital in Palo Alto following a long and courageous battle with

complications resulting from cancer.

Topher was born on July 3, 1967, in San Luis Obispo, California,

and was raised in Arroyo Grande. He attended Harloe Elementary,

Paulding Middle School, and graduated from Arroyo Grande High School

with the Class of 1985. He was active in local sports, basketball, football,

and baseball. He was an avid and “true blue” Dodger fan!

Topher enjoyed many years playing in adult softball leagues in the area,

with many friends, and participating in tournaments.

Topher worked in construction for many years, mostly in concrete finishing.

In recent years, before his illness, he enjoyed working in sales.

Topher was deeply involved with our local youth sports, coaching

and supporting young athletes over many years. He coached basketball,

football, and baseball for his son Caleb and his friends. Topher was a

great coach and mentor for hundreds of youth throughout the years.

Topher was (also) a devoted member of New Beginnings Community Church

of the Nazarene, pastored by his life-long friend, Mark Valadez, and loved

his NBCC Family, as they stayed positive with prayer, love,

and support throughout his illness.

A proud accomplishment was in 2014 when he received his Ordained

Minister's Certification.

Many thanks and appreciation to the medical staff at Stanford Medical

Center and Hospital for the love, kindness, and the excellent care of

Topher for the past 6 months,

We are are forever thankful and blessed for all the prayers and generosity

of our friends, family, and community for the support we have received on

behalf of Topher.

Loving, friendly, and generous to all who knew him, Topher will be truly

missed by his beloved family and many, many friends.

Topher is survived by his son, Caleb; daughter, Kahlea; mother of his

children and forever loving friend, Dori (Tressler) Cajas; and step-daughter,

Cassidy Phelan.

Parents, Chris and Edith (Peralta) Cajas; sister, Christina/Mike McLean;

brother, Corey/Traci Cajas; nieces, Kaylee McLean, Kelsey and Christi Cajas,

Danielle/Dave Johnston, Chelsea/Brandon Kinzie; nephew, Michael McLean;

four grand-nieces, Natalya and Mikalya Kinzie, Remi and Charli Johnston.

Topher also leaves many aunts, uncles, and cousins from his Cajas, Peralta

and Watanabe Families.

A celebration of Topher's Life will be held on Saturday, December 7th, 2019

at 1:00 p.m. at the Association Hall – 707 Huasna Road – Arroyo Grande, CA.

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