Louis Rico Gamboa

Louis Rico Gamboa, 52 years old, and a longtime resident of Santa Barbara, died peacefully in the company of his family on August 30, 2012. He came to rest after a courageous five-month battle with cancer.

Born in Oxnard on September 19, 1959, Louis was a graduate of Santa Clara High School where he excelled in cross-country and track and field. In 1977, an athletic scholarship took him to Adams State College in CO. Three years later he began a career as a warden with the CA Dept. of Fish and Game. Louis then ventured into a long and successful career in the construction industry. With his entrepreneurial spirit, in 2008, Louis became the owner of Santa Barbara Concrete Impressions.

Louis loved the outdoors. He enjoyed backpacking in the Sierras, fishing in Baja CA, kayaking in the Pacific Ocean and hiking in the local mountains with his family.

Louis is survived by his wife, Cathy Gamboa; son, Christopher; and daughter, Lily. Louis also leaves behind his mother, Margaret Rico Gamboa; sisters: Socorro R. Gamboa, Paula R. Gamboa, Patricia Gamboa- Puentes, Mary Adele Gamboa, Glorianne Gamboa-Soria, Beatrice Villavicencio, and Judith Gamboa-Vasquez: and brothers: Jess R. Gamboa, Reuben R. Gamboa and Gregory R. Gamboa. His 21 nephews and nieces will all miss him greatly.

His father, Gregory A. Gamboa and his brother, Stephen Gamboa, precede Louis in death.

The Gamboa family gives their warmest thanks to The Cancer Center and Serenity House Hospice for their excellent care and compassion during Louis’s journey.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Barbara’s Parish at the Old Mission on Friday, September 14 at 10:00 AM.

Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.