Rev. Luis F. Romero Sr.

Luis Felipe Romero was born on October 8, 1923, in Isabela, Puerto Rico, and passed to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 4, 2009, in Fresno, Ca. As a student, he graduated with honors and served as a medic in the United States Army before being honorably discharged in 1949. At 26 years of age, he was called to the ministry and in 1954 graduated from the Mizpah Bible Institute in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He was certified as an ordained minister in 1958 with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. His first pastorate was a small mission in Douglas, Arizona. It was in Douglas where he was introduced to his wife, where they were married and where their first two children, Luis Jr. and Bertha, were born. In 1958, Luis moved to Santa Paula, California to pastor 'Gethsemane' where their son, Richard, was born. In 1961, he and his family moved to Fresno where he pastored 'La Puerta Abierta' until 1973 and where his daughter, Bernice, was born in 1966. He pastored congregations in Selma, Parlier, and Madera, and again in Fresno. Reverend Romero retired in 2004 after 54 years of ministry. Luis was a dedicated Christian, who demonstrated his faith not only through his ministry but through the warmth and kindness that characterized his daily life. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and his faith, joy for life, and loving nature served as an inspiration for others. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Felipe and Justa (Chico) Romero; and his sister, Justa (Romero) Soto. He is survived by Bertha (Gonzalez) Romero, his wife of 54 years; and his children, Luis Jr. and his wife Loyda, of Fresno, Bertha Drake and her husband Peter, of Rancho Palos Verdes, Richard and his wife Yvonne, of Fresno, and Bernice Romero of Washington, DC. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Diana, Valerie, James, and Paul and his wife, Monica. Visitation will be held at Bethel Christian Center, at 4665 North First Street in Fresno, California, on Friday, July 10, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Wake Service will immediately follow. A Funeral Service will be held at Bethel Christian Center on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Belmont Memorial Park. A reception will follow at a location to be announced.