Louis Paul Robles Sr.

Louis was born January 15, 1918 in Huntington Park, California to Rita Mae Quinones and Luis D. Robles. He was the eldest of four sons. He attended grammar school at the Lillian Street School in Huntington Park. He graduated from Jordan High School in Los Angeles in 1939. As a young man he was active in sports, was captain of the basketball team and ran cross country and track. He served in FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps. He had wonderful stories of growing up in a completely different Los Angeles, riding the Red Car, enjoying open fields and uncrowded beaches, making the most out of living during the Great Depression. He worked various jobs in grocery stores in the Watts neighborhood. With the onset of WWII he joined the US Army. Before heading overseas, he married his neighborhood sweetheart, Lillian Valenzuela on September 13, 1941. They sat in the rumble seat of a borrowed Model-T and traveled to Las Vegas with friends while on a weekend leave to wed. He was in the 670th artillery Battalion taking part in battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe and Rhineland. He returned home in October of 1945. He received a Good Contact Medal. He belonged to Veterans of The Battle of The Bulge and enjoyed their reunions. He and his wife moved to North Long Beach in 1948 because it was " the country" with dirt roads, horses, cows & coyotes. He was the unofficial " mayor" of the neighborhood with little occurring without him noticing. He lived in the house he built until his last day. He was employed by the City of Los Angeles for 38 years even taking a side job as an usher at Dodger Stadium. He and his wife Lillian were founding members of St. Pancratius in Lakewood and opened their hearts and home to over 300 foster children. A loving and devoted father he would do anything for his family. His children have countless memories of his loyal support and encouragement. He ensured they had the opportunities that he never did. His grandchildren remember his playful teasing and ever changing nicknames. He was well respected in the Southern California Native American community. He had a strong work ethic, was always available to help others but was happiest behind the scenes and never asked for acknowledgment. The way he lived was an example for others. He was a true member of the "Greatest Generation". He slipped away peacefully at sunrise on April 27, 2015 in his Long Beach home. Greeting him with the angels were his wife Lillian; son Ronald; parents, brothers and a host of loved ones. He is survived by 4 children: Rhonda Robles, Uma Darling, Rebecca Robles and Louis Robles, Jr., 6 grandchildren: Otis (Lisa) Ingram, Joaquin Ingram, Bear Ingram, Carmen (Craig) Clarke, Lucas Donaldson, Marissa Famularo and 4 great grandchildren: Jackson, Lillian and Dean Ingram, and Greyson Clarke. He shines brightly from his well earned place in the stars. His legacy of love will always warm our hearts. We celebrate a well lived life by a well loved man.