AFTER a career of keeping Air Force jets in the air—F-4s, B-52s, C-141s–then doing the same for civil aviation with the FAA, it made sense that Michael Hedrick ended up as Nut Tree Airport’s unofficial “ambassador.” His career began at Travis in 1974. A C-141 flight engineer, a flight examiner and chief mechanic, Mike rose to the rank of SMSgt, and he traveled the globe. After 28 years, Mike retired. But he didn’t quit. He refocused. He earned his pilot’s license and became the face of NT Airport, serving on the Airport Advisory Committee, Young Eagles program (1,284 flights) and Experimental Aircraft Assn. After a heart surgery, Mike wrote his autobiography so his family wouldn’t have to, someday. Years later, COVID-19 complications set in, and his bio became his obituary. Mike died Jan. 19. In aviator parlance: “Gone West.” He is survived by his wife, Joanie, children Aimee and Jonathan, and granddaughters Julianne and Carina. It has been an air-minded family, Jonathan told me. There were parts of planes in progress always close at hand.
Vacaville has been home since 1987. Mary Gonzales, office coordinator: “Mike was everywhere on the airport. He led by example, and he was a great one.” Son Jonathan: “With aviation, Dad’s passions were a love of people, family, country. If you knew those things about my father, you’d have a pretty good picture of him in a nutshell.” Mike wrote in his bio, “I have been able to enjoy my passions of spending time with family, and flying my own plane. It allowed me to share the experience with many.” Sharing the joy of flight, and of life, made Mike soar.
* * *
“I’M a lucky guy… we survived!”
The classic rejoinder to that is: The harder Javier “Chepo” Leyva works, the luckier he gets. Maybe that’s because his “work” is a labor of love. Every morning, seven days a week, Chepo rises at 3 a.m. so he can light the burners and heat the ovens so everything will be bubbling by the time Yolanda, Maria and Rosita show up to begin assembling another day’s production of handmade tamales in five flavors—chicken, pork, chile & cheese, veggies and pineapple-raisin.
Then the refried beans, Spanish rice, salsa verde sauce. A locomotive may thunder past across the street, rattling windows facing the tracks alongside Elmira’s A St.
So begins another day at Chepo’s Tamales, a reenactment of every day of the past 27 years. His “survived” speaks to weathering the pandemic storm, for which he credits the fact his family—wife, Ofelia and sons Xavier and Brian—pulled together to keep the tamale shop afloat. Besides that, Ofelia works outside for a medical provider. Their boys work with their dad. Together, they’ve created classic Mexican comida that has not only won them a loyal, respectful following, but a five-star rating for cultural flavors.
As the story goes, Chepo worked on Elmira farms while he and Ofelia created tamales for family and friends. Then they sold some. “We started to dream,” Chepo said. They bought a building next to the tracks, once Fry’s Grocery. Then the Leyvos went to work. Chepo remodeled and started buying equipment. He set up delivery service for office workers in town. For now, COVID-19 rules curtailed that.
On average, Chepo’s sells up to 300 tamales/enchiladas a day. Maria told me that two deft-finger tamale makers can create hundreds each day. That’s what it takes to satisfy customers and outlets on Pedrick Rd. and Mace Ave, Davis. There’s a mural on the northern wall by Maceo Montoya, a powerful graphic of the pride and struggles of the people of Mexico.
CHEPO has one speed: All out, all the time. His work ethic has produced a family tamale shop, now more popular than ever, and the several Elmira homes that he and Ofelia bought over the years. All rentals, all full. Half the fun of Chepo’s is going to the shop on A Street, a hint of Mexico in bucolic Elmira. See the process and the people creating zesty combos. Check Facebook for menus, or 469-7820. If you’re lucky, “Chepo”will be there, and you will come away with a new friend.
The author is former publisher of The Reporter.
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Richard Rico | A life of flight; a Chepo’s day - Vacaville Reporter
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