Louis R. Ybarra

Louie was born on August 30, 1936 at the Los Angeles General Hospital to Carmen Ledesma and Rosario Ybarra. Louie was only 2 ½ pounds at birth. He was raised by his grandparents, Merlinda {little grandma} and Antonio Ledesma {little grandpa}. We have been told that little grandma use to place him on the oven door to keep him warm. Louie had a brother Robert Arbizo and a sister Lydia Arbizo. He attended schools in Willowbrook, but before graduating from High School, Louie joined the U.S. Navy. He served from October 21, 1954 to August 7, 1958 with the rank of Electricians Mate 3rd class. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Louie attended Metropolitan High School to receive his High School diploma. Louie was friends with Johnny Garcia for many years. Johnny’s sister was Rosie. Sometime in 1957 Johnny invited Rosie to go to the movies with him and Louie. Rosie figured “why not go for a free movie”. Johnny, Rosie & Louie took the train to downtown Los Angeles. While they were there they started looking for a friendship ring for Johnny’s girlfriend. However instead of Johnny buying a ring for his girlfriend; Louie bought a ring set for Rosie. Rosie was only 14 years old, Louie was 20. That was the beginning of Louie and Rosie’s courtship. Unfortunately for Louie, Rosie’s father was not about to let her date. Louie would go visit Rosie but they had to sit in the front room in front of her father the entire time. Louie enrolled at Los Angeles Trade Technical College to study Cosmetology and became a hairdresser. He worked at several beauty shops in the Torrance/Redondo Beach area. For several years, Louie continued to pursue Rosie until she graduated from high school and started working for Bank of America. Rosie and Louie were married on May 28, 1961 at the “Chapel of the Wedding Bells” in Bellflower. Several of Louie’s family members were previously married there. Louie and Rosie purchased their first car a month before they were married and spent their honeymoon at Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park in Northern California.

Louie was very fond of Mario, Rosie’s nephew that every time they went on vacation, Mario went with them except when they went on their honeymoon. Mario was like their first son. Louie and Rosie had two children {Anthony & Cynthia}. Louie was thrilled that he had a son and daughter. Because Cynthia is almost six years younger than Anthony, Louie would partner with Cynthia to play marbles against Anthony and his cousin John. Of course, Louie and Cynthia would win all the marbles. Louie and Cynthia would also play football against Anthony & John and Louie would pass the football to Cynthia and tell her to run while he blocked Anthony & John from tackling her. Louie made it a point to schedule his appointments around the kid’s schedule. He would pick them up from school and take them to eat and then to the movies. They had their favorite places to eat. He would tell them “Don’t tell your mother, it’s our secret”. Cynthia and Anthony meant the world to him. Louie became a father figure to several boys in the neighborhood. He spent 5 of 7 days a week with these boys, taking them to Karate classes, tournaments, coaching, challenging and encouraging them. Several of these boys have continued to keep a tight relationship with him. One in particular is John Gafford. After Anthony joined the Marine’s, Louie again became involved with all the young man associated with Anthony. He always wanted the best for other and found time to listen, talk and encourage each of them. Since Anthony was away, Louie and Cynthia enjoyed days together, shopping at Nordstrom, eating out and going to the movies. Louie and Rosie moved from Compton to Lakewood in March, 1999. At our home in Compton, Louie spent time everyday in the back yard pulling weeds, pruning the flowers, and digging hole to make compose. It took Louie and Rosie a few months to adjust to the quietness at the Lakewood home. However, Louie was happy that the house was located on a busy street, just like the house in Compton. He enjoyed being able to talk with everyone who walked by the house.

Louie and Rosie were thrilled when they became grandparents. They were blessed with three granddaughters and four great granddaughters. Trina {Wiggies} and her daughter Leilana. Cerena and her daughters Jazmin and Laila. Amber and her daughter Dalilah. Cerena and Amber were born to Anthony & Vicky. Louie invested his time and energy to talk, laugh, joke and have fun with all his grandchildren. Louie once said “if we could have afforded it, we would have had ten children.”

Louie’s brother Robert passed away a couple of years ago. Three of Robert’s sons, Albert, Andrew and Steve have become very attached to their Uncle Louie, spending many week-ends with him. The boys would get together, purchase meat to bar-b-q and prepared all the side dishes. Although, Louie may not have felt well, having the boys come over lifted his spirit. These three nephew brought a lot of enjoy into his life. Waikiki, Hawaii was Louie’s favorite vacation spot. They started taking trips to the islands in 1970; and made the trip 10 years straight. Additional trips were made later. Louie believe that if they couldn’t afford to take the entire family, then no one could go. He always tried to talk family and friends into making to island. Since the family made so many trips to Waikiki, Louie and Rosie enjoyed just relaxing on the beach, eating at different restaurants and visiting with their great friends Paul and Kay. In mid December, 2012, Kent Horiuchi came to ask Louie and Rosie for Cynthia’s hand in marriage and for their blessing. Of course, Louie and Rosie gave their blessing and Louie’s first question was “do I need to wear a tuxedo?” May 21st, Louie was called home and is resting peacefully. Louie can be remembered as being able to make friends with anyone, talking to strangers about anything and everything. Cynthia and Anthony always said “if the door would respond, dad would talk to it. Louie enrolled his oldest granddaughter Leilana in “Mommy and Me pre-school”. He found much joy in participating with the other Mommy’s and their children in the school activities. Louie continued to be involved in all of her school activities until it became too difficult due to his illness. At his great granddaughter’s school, Louie is known as “Papa” by teachers, student and even some of the parents. They always asked about him when he wasn’t there. Louie’s favorite food was Mexican. He especially liked eating chili rellenos, calabasitas, baneberry pie and many other desserts. His favorite drink was diet orange crush. Louie and Rosie made annual trips to Oak Glen to purchase apples. Louie peeled the apples by hand and they would make anywhere from 30 to 40 apple pies. Louie would then deliver the pies to family and friends. Louie had a generous heart. When Louie worked, he opened a charge account at the 5, 7 and 9 dress shop. Periodically when Rosie would come home from work, Louie would have a large box filled with dresses he purchased for her. Louie had excellent taste in women’s clothing. He was very generous with Rosie and the kids. On days that Rosie wasn’t feeling well but still went to work, Louie would order flowers and have them sent to her with the message, “Hope you’re feeling better, Love Louie.” On Tuesday, May 28th, Louie and Rosie would have celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary. On behalf of Rosie, Cynthia and Anthony, we want to especially thank, Mario Salazar, Kent Horiuchi, John Gafford, Debbie Keierleber, Albert, Andrew and Steve Arbizo for their many acts of kindness, love and support during Louie’s life time. They have gone above and beyond to make things easier, safer and happier for Louie.

In addition, thank you for your support, friendship, love and prayers. Thanks to our God for making Louie the head of this household. We love him very much, he was our life and we miss him. God bless each of you!