Louis Bernard Mena

Louis “Louie” Bernard Mena Senior was born on May 20th, 1941 in Hollister, California to his parents, Manuel and Angelita Mena. Louis was one of eleven siblings. He attended high school in Hollister and graduated in 1959. After graduation, he attended the Navy for two years as an aviation boatswain’s mate, was involved in handling aircraft fuel supplies aboard an aircraft carrier, and was retired honorably in 1961. From 1961 to 1964, Louie worked for an aircraft company forming sheet metal.

In 1964, Louie began working for Pacific Gas and Electric initially in the Monterey area, then Bakersfield. He initially worked as a groundman and was promoted to lineman in 1968. In 1968 he quit his job with Pacific Gas and Electric when he was hired by the California Highway Patrol. He was first assigned to the Indio, California area where he worked patrol for one year. He then transferred to the Monterey-Salinas area and served as a patrolman there from 1969 to 1974. In 1975, Louie transferred to the San Jose, California area where he worked patrol until 1978. Near the end of 1978, he transferred to the Gilroy-Hollister area where he worked patrol until 1983. In August of 1983, Louie transferred to Jackson, California where he continued his work with the California Highway Patrol as a patrolman until his medical retirement in 1990. During his time in the Jackson – Amador, California area, Louie achieved his Bachelor’s Degree from Sacramento State University in Criminal Justice as well as two separate teaching credentials in Criminology and Driver’s Education. Louie took great pride in his profession as a California Highway Patrolman and was consistently a top performer in most of their statistical categories. After his retirement, Louie continued his profession by working as a Correctional Officer for Folsom Prison where he retired in 2003.

Throughout his life, Louie enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and camping. Louie was an avid fan of the Steelers and Dodgers and would rarely miss a game. Louie died in his home on January 16th, 2016 in Roseville, California. He was 74.

Those who preceded Louie in death include Ray Villanueva (Step-Son), Eugene Mena (Son), as well as several of his brothers and sisters. Louie is survived by Maureen Mena (Wife), Ashley Herrmann (Daughter), Louis Mena Jr. (Son), Alicia Nottleson (Daughter), Celeste Mena-Murillo (Daughter), Stephanie Villanueva (Step-Daughter), and twelve grandchildren.

Louie will be laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on Monday, February 1st, 2016 where he will forever be honored for his service to our country in this veteran’s only facility. On Friday, January 29th at 10:00am, a funeral service at St John’s Marello Church, 7200 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay, CA 96746. Louie will always be remembered and never be replaced. Go Steelers! Go Dodgers!