Louis Leo Vidal

Louis Leo Vidal, age 95 years, 10 months, passed peacefully in his home on May 23, 2014. "Lou" was born in Yuma, AZ on July 2, 1918 to Laura Molina and Manuel Vidal. He grew up in East Los Angeles surrounded by nine brothers and sisters. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Marines Corp. (with hopes of obtaining a grant to attend college). Instead, he began training at Camp Pendleton, where he was quickly promoted to Sergeant. During his service he fought in the battles of the South Pacific, including the landing of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Saipan and in the occupation of Korea and China, earning him two Purple Hearts.

Once discharged from the Marines, Lou went onto East Los Angeles Junior College, where he earned his Civil Engineering Degree. As an independent contractor, he made great accomplishments in his field, including the design of Apollo 11, the first mammogram machine, electric hospital beds, and various other projects that made a difference in the lives and communities around him.

Husband to Charlotte of 25 years, he raised a daughter and a son in Southern California. Lou is survived by daughter, Joan Nolte of Banning, CA and son, Mike Vidal (Donna Eds-Vidal) of Marysville, CA. He is also survived by granddaughter Teresa Kaluzny (Andrew Kaluzny) of Fullerton, CA; Lisa Wilber (Jerry Wilber) of Riverside, CA; grandson, Peter Jensen (Sherry Jensen) of Las Vegas, NV; as well as his great-grandson, Christopher Henry Louis Kaluzny, age 9 1/2.

He was a wonderful story teller and dancer. Lou loved a good cold beer and a hot cup of coffee. He liked to watch baseball and loved to discuss and cheer on his favorite football team: The 49ers! But the great outdoors was his real calling, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, but most of all working on his ranch and in his garden in Marysville, CA for over 30 years.

A proud and true Marine to the very end, his love for his family was unconditional. He was the gentleman's gentleman.

A celebration of life mass will be held for Lou on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30am at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Banning. Followed by burial services at Riverside National Cemetery at 12:30am. The family will then celebrate with a private lunch together.

Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.