Charles Louie Fernandez

BARSTOW, CA – Louie Fernandez, 71, died at home in Barstow, California with his loving family taking care of him, after a 12 month battle to recover his health from a stroke. He was born October 11, 1950 in New Mexico, the son of Jose Abenicio Fernandez and Rosa Trujillo Fernandez.

Louie graduated from Barstow High School, Class of 1969. Following graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Yvonne (Bivens) Fernandez, and they settled in Barstow, California. They celebrated 51 years and 4 months of marriage. Louie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, which became the Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 1995 due to a merger. He retired with 41 years of service to the railroad, retiring in 2011.

Louie was well known, respected, and charitable to all he knew. Louie coached Little League Baseball and Girls Softball teams for many years in Barstow, while his 4 children grew up. He was a member of the Barstow Masonic Lodge. Louie served as his union’s shop steward (local chairman) for most of his 41-year career on the railroad, with the International Brotherhood of Sheetmetal Workers. Towards the end of his career, Louie got involved with what was called the Non Ops Credit Union in Barstow at the time, but under his leadership as the Board President, the credit union changed names to The Railway Employees Credit Union, and then to it’s current day name Barstow Communities Credit Union. At the time of his death he was still the sitting Board President. Louie was probably most famous for his Super Bowl Pools that he would organize each year at Super Bowl time.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Ruth Klein and Predicanda Maestas and one brother, Thomas Fernandez. Surviving in addition to his wife, Carol, are his son Louie Michael Fernandez and his husband Douglas Landreth of Fort Mohave, Arizona, three daughters Wendy Lucero and her significant other Steve Peralta of Barstow, CA, Jaime Rhoads and her husband Edward Rhoads of Fort Worth, Texas, and Amanda Fernandez and significant other Rayshawn Hines of Lenwood, California. Louie has one surviving sister Margaret Annie Carrico of Chandler, Texas, 3 granddaughters, Alexus Rhoads, Karissa Lucero, and Charley Jo Peralta, in addition to six grandsons, Marcuss Rhoads, Clay Harper, Noah Harper, Gabryl Rhoads, Vyncent Rhoads, and Cody Harper; two great grandchildren Zaiden Orosco and Klover Harper; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11:30am to 12:30am, Thursday March 3rd at Mead’s Mortuary, 36930 Irwin Road, Barstow, California 92311, with graveside service immediately following at Mt View Memorial Park, Barstow, California. Arrangements by Mead Mortuary Funeral & Cremation, 36930 Irwin Road, Barstow, CA 92311.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Fernandez family.