Carlos L Lugo

(8/22/24 ~ 12/27/11)

“Together Again”

Carlos Loya Lugo was born in Santa Ana, California on August 22, 1924 to Salvador and Saturnina Lugo. At a young age he was sent to live with his family in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico during the Great Depression of 1929. At age 19, he returned to the United States and joined the U.S.Army during World War II. Shortly after the war, he met and married “the love of his life,” Margaret Garcia in Visalia, California and raised five children. For many years, Carlos worked as farm labor foreman. Later, he became the Head Custodian for Crowley School in Visalia Unified School District. After 23 years, he retired from Crowley Elementary School. Carlos took great pride in Crowley School, he worked tirelessly to improve and develop a beautiful campus for teachers and students. The trees and flowers he planted created an environment that supported teaching and learning. Students were proud of their school. He was loved by the school staff and the many children he met throughout the years. To this day, former Crowley students remember “Mr. Lugo” fondly.

Carlos was an Army veteran, coin collector and an avid reader of history. He loved telling his children, grandchildren and friends stories about the history of the United States and Mexico. He especially loved sharing the history of James Earle Fraser’s sculpture called “The End of the Trail.” The City of Visalia obtained the discarded statue from the first Worlds’ Fair in San Francisco in 1920. It was placed at the entrance to Mooney’s Grove Park where it remained for 48 years. In 1968, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma requested the statue for the museum. The City of Visalia said the museum could take the original statue, however, they requested that a replica be made for the city. The original was restored and remains in the museum today. He loved collecting “The End of the Trail” memorabilia and had an extensive coin collection. He was a life-long member of the Community Service Organization (CSO), Sociedad Progresista, and the UFW in Visalia, California.

Carlos was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret and his brother Joe Lugo and sister, Mary Gonzalez. He is survived by his sister, Pauline Rodriguez, of Visalia; His children, Drs. Susana C. Mata and husband Hisauro Garza, Fresno; Sylvia A. Lugo, Tucson, Arizona; Vivian M. Gross and husband Douglas, Fresno; his two sons, Salvador C. Lugo and wife Marilyn, from Madera and Carlos J. Lugo, Fresno, California. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dr. Rene Ramirez and wife Janie; Joaquin Ramirez and wife Maribel; Estevan Ramirez, Desiree A. Lugo, Xavier Robles, Carlos Lugo and Isaac Jesus Lugo and his great-grandchildren Romeo Sky, Phoenix, Benicio and Sofia Isabella.

Visitation will take place at 5:00 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2011 at Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia, California. A Mass at 10:00 am will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Visalia on Thursday, January 5, 2011. Burial will follow immediately after the Mass.

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