Louis V. Franco

1925 - 2014

On January 20, 2014, Louis "Louie" V. Franco, after a long battle with cancer, peacefully passed at home in Oxnard, California. He was 88 years old.

The eldest son of Camilia and Ysabel Franco, Louis was born on July 21, 1925 in Oxnard, California, but lived most of his adult life in Port Hueneme, California.

Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather Great-Grandfather,Great-Great Grandfather, Son, brother and uncle; he is survived by his brother Leandro "Lalo" Franco and his wife Vicky Oxnard, Ca; sister Marcella Neri Oxnard, Ca; Sister-in-Law Lilly Franco Lancaster, Ca; son Pat W. Franco and his wife Mercy of San Bernardino, CA; daughter Mary F. Ortiz and her husband Richard Ortiz, Sr. of Oxnard, CA; daughter Anita L. Ray of Colorado Springs, CO; son Louis V. Franco, Jr of Port Hueneme, CA.; grand-children Deborah Diaz; Cynthia Torres; Gabriel Diaz; Richard Ortiz, Jr; Noel Ray; Brian Ortiz; Cecchina Ortiz; Jhonda Schultz; Inez Fitzgerald; Teresa Franco; Michelle Avila; James Franco; Kathleen Franco; and Andrew Franco; 20 great-grandchildren,5 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; and their beloved pet Baby. He was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life for 63 years, Agnes "Tita" Franco;, daughter, Irene Yolanda Diaz-Crowder; sisters Mary Rodiguez and Frances Leon; brothers, Isabel "Mike" Franco and Jose "Tony" Franco; and son-in-laws Gabriel A. Diaz and Dennis B. Ray.

While playing centerfield for Santa Clara High School baseball team, he was scouted by several Major League Baseball teams. However he dropped out of school at age 16 upon the death of his mother to take provide for and take care of his siblings. Shortly thereafter he was joined in the military.

Louie served in the U.S. Navy, Construction Battalion Special Unit 28 from 1942 until his honorably discharged in 1946. He received his training at Ventura County Naval station and was stationed in the Philippines and participated in the occupation of Japan after World War II. He retired from Point Mugu Naval Air Station where he worked as a painter for over 28 years.

Louie was a selfless person and was a devoted husband and father and lived for the entire Franco family. He and his wife was instrumental in raising and caring for nieces Andrea Barreto, Emily Jaquez; and Marsha Marrufo; and nephew Jimmy Martinez., just to name a few.

Louis was a jack of all trades and enjoyed tinkering with and fixing things around the house but his real passion was working with and molding wood with his hands. His real strength lied in his ability to mold people. He spent a lot of time traveling, mostly visiting his children, whether it was a 45 minute drive up the freeway or a 2800 mile trek across the country to tend to a loved one or attend a wedding. He was an active member of Mary Star of the Sea for over 50 year.

Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Gramps, Pop-Pop, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, "El Rey" Friend, and Mr. Franco were just a few of his titles.

He will be missed and forever be in our hearts.

A Viewing will be held at 5:00P.M. and Rosary at 7:00P.M. on January 26.at the Reardon Funeral Home, 511 N. "A" Street, Oxnard, California, 93030, Services will be starting at 9 a.m.. At Mary Star of the Sea. Internment to follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 N. "H" St., Oxnard, California 93030. If anyone would like to send flowers in memory of our father, they can be sent to 511 N. "A" Street, Oxnard, California, 93030 prior to Rosary and viewing.

Louis has been entrusted to the care of the Family Owned and Operated Reardon Funeral Home, 511 North A st, Oxnard CA 93030