Carlos Gustavo Madrigal

Carlos Gustavo Madrigal, 72, passed away on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, in Oxnard, California. He was a beloved father, godfather, abuelo, brother, tío, and compadre. Born on June 27, 1952 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to Antonia Gonzalez Ortega and Secundino Madrigal, he immigrated to Southern California with his family in January 1959 after living in Tijuana for 3 years.

Carlos attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights (Los Angeles), then was drafted into the Army in 1972 and served 2 years in Germany as a Private First Class Light Weapons Infantryman. After his honorable discharge in 1974, he attended East Los Angeles College, Santa Barbara City College and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He worked in the aerospace and defense industry and grew in his career with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Relief Department for almost 30 years.

Carlos claimed his greatest accomplishment was being the proud father of Andrés Gustavo Madrigal (b. 1977), Orlando Ismael Madrigal (b. 1980), and Venessa Monica Madrigal (b. 1982). He is survived by all his children, his 3 grandchildren (Antonio, Andrea, Marcelo Madrigal) with two more on the way this year, including one due around his birthday!

Carlos was known for his charisma, positivity, and pride. He had a can-do attitude and he always showed up early. He was a people person and would easily engage in conversation with others. He loved to negotiate and get a great deal.

Carlos was an avid sports fan who loved the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Rams. He also loved coaching his daughter Venessa in various sports during her childhood.

He loved to travel and was fortunate to have a career that allowed him to travel throughout the United States and U.S. Territories.

Carlos was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about history, religion, politics and current affairs. He enjoyed learning about the history of the U.S. and Mexico, and was a proud Chicano. His life and view of the world had been influenced early on in the 1970’s during The Walkouts and he was active in Chicano Rights Movement with the MeCHA club at Santa Barbara City College. He was proud to have met Cesar Chavez at an event he organized.

Carlos’s health challenges began in the late 1990’s and in 2001, Carlos underwent a kidney transplant surgery which extended his life an additional 24 years. We have his wonderful sister, Yola, to thank as his kidney donor. Yola continued to remain integral to his support over the years. Carlos was a fighter when it came to his health challenges with an incredible ability to push through his recoveries. As Carlos would always say, he was ‘hanging tough’. Carlos’s family is grateful for every year that he remained with us as a pillar in our lives. He will be deeply missed by many.

The family is grateful for your remembrances, prayers and actions that continue to embrace the spirit of Carlos Gustavo Madrigal.