Fidel was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He passed away in his home in Bakersfield, CA on Friday June 24, 2022 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife Paula Lara, six children and their spouses, along with 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Fidel was born to Fidel and Felicitas Lara in Mission, TX on August 30, 1931. He was the oldest of 15 children, and all were raised in a ranch house in Rio Bravo, a city located in Tamaulipas, Mexico. He moved all over for work, until he met his wife Paula Ibarra in San Antonio, TX. They married in 1953, and went on to settle in Indio, CA until 1970 when they relocated to Bakersfield, CA. There they continued to raise their six children; Fidel, Richard, Blanca, Rosa, Angelica, and Fernando Lara.
Through the years Fidel enjoyed going to family parties, fishing, John Wayne movies, WWE wresting, gardening, and grafting combination of trees together. He loved his job at Farm Labor management working in the Almond Orchards in Shafter, CA. He retired in 1996 at the age of 65.
In his retirement years, Fidel lived a simple life at home going on walks, growing all kinds of fruits and vegetables in his garden, visiting with family, friends and attending weekly church services. He was loved by all who ever met him for his kind and loving smile and he had a way of making everyone feel loved and appreciated.
Viewing will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary on Thursday July 7, 2022 at 8am, located at 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. Services will be held at 9am, and burial at 10am. A celebration of Life will be held after at 12:00 pm at the Elks Lodge, located at 1616 30th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Lara family.
