Rusty Souza, age 66, was taken home in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Friday, November 16, 2018 surrounded by his family. Rusty was born June 3, 1952 in Madera, CA to Manuel and Beulah Souza. He grew up in Kerman where he met and married his wife Martie Eppler. Rusty is a Navy Vietnam Veteran, served on the North Central Fire District Board of Directors for 26 years and worked for CAL-Fire for 33 years retiring as a Battalion Chief in 2007 to spend more time with his family. In his spare time, Rusty enjoyed coaching Little League and Babe Ruth, watching his Giants play ball, barbecuing for friends and family, wood working and building projects for his grandchildren, golfing with his friends and brother, taking trips to Tahoe and the coast with his family and spending time with his grandchildren. His favorite holiday was Christmas and seeing the festivities as everyone celebrated the birth of Jesus. Rusty a true jokester and fun to be around was one of a kind, with a personality that no one forgot. He was kind and respectful to anyone he ever met and he will truly be missed by those that had the extreme pleasure to know him.
He is survived by his wife of forty-years, Martie, his daughter Amanda and her two children Leeam and Emerson, his son Daniel and his wife Krisi and their daughter Emily.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Kerman Covenant Church, with a graveside following at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
Remembrances can be made to Kerman Baptist Church.
