LORENZ ANTONIO ACOSTA

Lorenz Antonio Acosta, age 37, entered eternal life on Saturday, February 22, 2014. He was 37 years old. He resided in Bakersfield, California with his wife Yvette Sánchez and their three children, daughters Citlali and Ixtaccíhuatl, and son Yaxkin. He was a practicing Catholic and his deeply rooted Christian values were evident in every facet of his life as a husband, father, son, brother, teacher, friend, and mentor to his students.
Born on November 12, 1976 in Los Angeles, California, Lorenz was one of five siblings. He grew up in the central Los Angeles area and attended local area schools. After graduating from Manual Arts High School he pursued Film Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara from which he graduated in 2000 and where he met his wife Yvette. In 2001 Lorenz and Yvette were blessed with their first child, Citlali. Lorenz and his new family moved to Shafter where they began their family life together. Lorenz and Yvette were married on September 4, 2004 at St. Therese Church in Shafter. Lorenz worked hard and always wanted the best for his family. While working and supporting his family, Lorenz studied education at California State University, Bakersfield where he obtained a multi-subject teaching credential as well as two separate Special Education teaching credentials. In 2006 Lorenz and his wife welcomed their second daughter Ixta and in 2008 came their son, Yaxkin. As a teacher Lorenz taught Kindergarten, Fifth grade, adult GED, and most recently eighth grade special education students at La Viña School in Delano, California. Lorenz was a dedicated teacher and motivated his students to always perform at their best.
Lorenz also worked unceasingly to provide for the spiritual, emotional, and financial needs of his family. As a member of the St. Therese Church parish in Shafter, Lorenz helped to initiate a church choir and sang enthusiastically alongside his family and the church organist, Mrs. Leal. After completing the RCIA program and receiving First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Philip the Apostle Church, in Bakersfield in November 2010, Lorenz continued to remain active at his new parish as a member of the Art and Environment team by helping to decorate the church in preparation for the different liturgical seasons. As a father, Lorenz looked forward to reading Bible stories, praying the rosary, and reciting bedtime prayers with his children. He was an avid cook, homemade pizza was his specialty, and he also loved to go on family hikes and just laying on the living room floor watching movies with his kids. He is survived by and will be forever missed by his wife, Yvette Sánchez, and his three children Citlali, Ixta, and Yaxkin, his mother, Lorraine Acosta, and four siblings, Eddie Acosta, Eric Acosta, Errol Acosta, and Anita Cabil and his aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Memorial services for Lorenz Antonio Acosta will take place on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 7100 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93309.
DOUGHTY-CALHOUN-O'MEARA