Reynaldo "Popps" "Chícharo" Mendez Batista

Reynaldo “Popps” “Chícharo” Mendez Batista, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at his residence.

He was born on January 27, 1955 in Utuado, Puerto Rico to the late Francisco and Eloisa Torres Méndez Batista.

Popps spent his early years in Puerto Rico and shared stories with his family about riding wild horses and climbing coconut trees. In his early 20’s, he moved to the United States and joined The National Guard. He received a certification in computer programming from Tri-State Business Institute and studied dimensioning & tolerancing and blueprint reading from Regional Career and Technical Center. Reynaldo worked at various places over the years starting by working as a laborer for the railroad company, Pyramid Industries, Lamson Pipe Company and most recently was a driver for Clark Container. He was a die-hard Jacksonville Jaguars fan, talented and self-proclaimed legend on the pool table, loved martial arts, and a dedicated and loyal member to many gyms including Iron Oxygen (formerly Best Fitness) which transformed himself into what he called himself “The Creature from Lake Erie”. Reynaldo was a Reiki Master, the highest level of Reiki training. Popps was an amazing father, step-father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family, making people laugh and cheering up his community.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Taunja Batista and her dog, Token and his siblings, Jesús Manuel Batista Méndez, Blanca Iris Batista Méndez, Marie Adelaide Batista Méndez, José Hiram Batista Méndez and Juan Francisco Batista Méndez.

He leaves behind to cherish him in memory, his three sons, Reynaldo Batista Jr. (Tamara), along with his mother, Beverly Hinterberger-Lucini, Antonio Batista and Christopher Batista, along with their mother, Gloria Ortiz Cortes and his grandchildren, Antonio Jr., Genevieve, along with her mother, Kimberly Beer, Reynaldo III, Sheridan and Maximus. He is further survived by his siblings, Doris Celeste Batista Méndez, Carmen Gloria Batista Méndez, Ana Haydeé Batista Méndez and Ventura Batista Méndez, his former wife, Hilda “Yaasmiyn” DeJesus and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are invited to the Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 w 10th St., on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com