Luis B. Morales Sr.

Luis B. Morales, Sr., was born in El Paso, Texas, on September 21, 1938. He graced this earth with his presence for 87 years and died peacefully on June 13, 2026. He and his wife, Carmen Morales, the love of his life, would have celebrated 70 years of marriage on July 1, 2026.

Louie is survived by Carmen, his children, Luis B. Morales, Jr. (Maria), Jaime, Victor (Elsa), and Rosemary (John), daughter-in-law, Maggie, and grandchildren, Luis Enrique Morales (Tamara), David Morales (Brittany), Liana Morales, Edward Morales, Michael Sloan, Jamie Legarda (Rick), Valerie Morales (Gimae), Matthew Morales, Steven Morales, Andrea Morales, Ana Williams, Rocio Ortega Nevarez, Diana Ortega Nevarez, Maria Elena Ortega Nevarez, Josh Marin, and Sarah Marin; and great-grandchildren, McKenzie Morales, David Morales, Jr., Sophia Luna Morales, Deena Isham (Colby), Reese Legarda (Belany), Gracie Legarda, and Angel Lozano (Danny); 4 great-great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Eduardo (Lalo) Morales, and daughter-in-law, Wanda Morales, his parents, Isaac and Maria Antonieta Morales, and 11 siblings.

Louie was very proud to be a first-generation American, born to immigrant parents from Mexico, and never forgot his immigrant roots. He remained a grateful patriot until the day he died and never stopped paying it forward by helping those in need.

Louie and Carmen met during their freshman year at Bowie High School. He was a football player and member of the FFA, who had a thousand-watt smile, great sense of humor, and lots of charm and confidence, while Carmen was a good student who played clarinet in the band and held a job on the side. He won her over and they fell in love, but when Louie’s parents tried to send him to live with family in California because they were getting too serious, they decided to get married, instead—at the tender age of 17. They bought the family home at 22 and had 5 kids—4 boys and their last, a girl—by the time they were 25. That same determination was displayed as they accomplished so much, helped so many, and overcame many challenges together during their marriage.

Louie and Carmen raised their kids in a strict, organized household where there were no excuses, and everyone was required to carry their weight. Louie had very high expectations for himself and his family. He never gave less than 100% of himself in anything he did, including raising their children. He was always present and determined to keep his kids on a straight and narrow path. With Carmen by his side, Louie coached his boys in baseball at the Bel Air Optimist Club, football and track with the Lower Valley Longhorns, and boxing with the Golden Gloves and AAU, was a Cub Master with the Boy Scouts, was active in the Bel Air Highlander Clan, and President of the Hacienda Heights PTA.  These are just a few of his activities after working an 8-hour day at Phelps Dodge Copper Refinery—and often after running 3.5 miles from work to home.

Louie had strong Christian values and demonstrated them at Santa Lucia and San Antonio De Padua Catholic churches. He and Carmen ran the annual kermes for many years, taught confirmation and marriage preparation classes, helped with the food pantry, and organized beautiful Christmas parties for neighborhood kids in need. Louie was also active in the San Antonio De Padua Knights of Columbus and later became a Fourth-Degree Knight. Using his skill of carpentry and building, he helped to renovate the priests’ houses at both parishes.  

Louie always said that it was our job to leave every place better than we found it—from campgrounds to neighborhoods. So, Louie and Carmen were also community activists. Together, they were founding members of EPISO. During that time, they registered thousands of people to vote, educated large crowds on social justice issues, met with politicians to get community projects funded, and advocated for potable water in the Colonias, safe streets, handicap-accessible sidewalks, and the construction of the Carolina Recreation Center.   

As a young husband and father, Louie developed skills and became a carpenter apprentice, then a master carpenter. Eventually, he would own his own business, then became a construction superintendent. Ultimately, he went back to school, earned a degree as a vocational teacher, and taught construction at the David L. Carrasco Job Corps Center. He was generous with his knowledge and very proud to have taught many wage-earning skills to his sons, grandchildren, the Job Corps students, and many workers along the way.

Louie also excelled at drawing, gardening, training his dogs, running, and inventing new ways to simplify his everyday life. He was and will remain a giant in our eyes, his community, and his church family.

Louie was prolific and left a tremendous legacy. With his dedication to God, family and serving others, he taught us faith, hope, love, work ethic, leadership, endurance and optimism, which we will carry forever.

The family would like to thank all of Louie’s wonderful neighbors, including Angel Camacho and Irma Martinez, who helped to care for him, as well as Dr.Aghaegbulam Uga, Dr. Gregorio Castillo, and the angels at Hospice El Paso, for your tender care.