Rodney Fernandez

Rodney Fernandez, age 68, of Santa Paula, CA. was called by the Lord on October 23, 2013.

Fernandez, who championed the cause for affordable workforce housing in Ventura County over the past 5 decades leaves a legacy of more than 1700 homes created to help house families who otherwise would not have been afforded the realization of a house to call home. In the mid-1970's he helped settle the dispute between the Saticoy Lemon Association and the farm workers residing at Cabrillo Village. Shortly thereafter he went to work at Cabrillo Village, forming the Cabrillo Improvement Association, to rehabilitate the "Grapes of Wrath" housing at the village. His vision went far beyond rehabilitating the housing stock. Employment "re-tooling" of the farm workers to learn carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, and other crafts was underway. His vision resulted in creating a tile shop, cabinet shop and a community store, where farm workers received training in new careers. Tile from that very tile shop adorns his entire home.

Shortly thereafter he created the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation to help other working families with housing needs county-wide. Mother Teresa said, "Life is a dream, realize it". Rodney lived his life much as Mother Teresa said it should be lived. While he dealt with asthmatic lungs, Rodney did not complain. He dreamed of helping others succeed. He dreamed of helping others improve their lives. He dreamed of catching the big fish, hiking the Sierras and loving his lovely wife, Melinda. He realized it all.

Along his life's journey, he was recognized locally, regionally and nationally for his undying commitment to serving the underserved, hiring and nurturing staff to excel beyond their recognized talents and for his tireless and continuous advocacy to create policy to facilitate housing opportunities for farm workers and other working class citizens. He was tenacious and he was fearless in advocating for those less fortunate that he earned and was lovingly known by his nickname, Fearless!

And now, Rodney is free of his asthmatic lungs and can join his best friend Ray Sepulveda in the Lord's house for those fishing expeditions they were famous for while they were both on this good earth. No worries, no oxygen canisters, no pain, just a new beginning and new adventures with Mother Nature and Boudie Ray. Until we meet again, my friend, rest well, sharpen those fishing hooks, freshen the line, oil the reel, and check the pole. No excuses, no tales of the one that got away.

Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Raul Fernandez; mother, Mercedes Fernandez; sister, Silvia Fernandez; and brother, Gilbert Fernandez. He is survived by wife, Melinda Fernandez; his brother, David Fernandez; and aunt, Greg Ortiz, numerous cousins, extended Fernandez family members and countless friends from California to Maine, including friends in Canada and Mexico.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 1st at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 427 N. Oak Street, Santa Paula. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 2nd also at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Charles Lueras, C.R.I.C. officiating. Both ceremonies will be streaming live on www.kadytv.com please look for the Garcia Mortuary banner. A reception honoring the life of Rodney will follow the mass from 1-5 p.m. at The Wilson Ranch, 999 Cliff Drive, Santa Paula, CA , carpooling encouraged. For map and directions to ceremony locations and to sign the family's online guestbook please visit our website: www.santapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Rodney's name located below "Recent Obituaries".

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned and Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr. Funeral Services, Santa Paula 805.229.7054