Louis Jess Murillo

Louis was born on October 27, 1927, in West Des Moines, Iowa, to Luis and Francisca (Moreno Alcala) Murillo. He attended and graduated from Valley High School, where he was voted best dressed twice.

Louis served as a member of the 5th Air Force in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked for decades at Rock Island Railroad and later worked at Covenant Presbyterian Church and Montessori Children’s House.

Louis was married for 62 years to his wife, Laura. They raised their five children, Eddie (Bertha), Janice (Richard) Gooden, John (Janet), Carmen Locke, and Tone, in the Valley Junction neighborhood of West Des Moines.

His hobbies included fishing, cooking, gardening, canning, woodworking, carpentry, feeding birds, hosting the annual Murillo Christmas morning gathering, watching westerns, and spending time with friends and family.

Louis is survived by his children, Janice, John, Carmen, and Tone; his brother Jackie; 15 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great-grandchildren; along with an extensive family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Laura; his son Eddie; grandchildren, William David Murillo, Eric Locke, and Melissa Murillo; parents, Luis and Francisca Murillo; and siblings Joseph Murillo, Josie Bejarno, June Diaz, Trina Diaz, Frankie Bates, Sally Clark, and Rachel Murillo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. Burial with military honors will be at Resthaven Cemetery. After the burial, lunch will be held at Sacred Heart Parish Center. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm, Friday evening at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, with a Rosary to follow at 7 pm.