Alejandro Lua Castellanos
Wearing his patented white undershirt, his hair and mustache well groomed, surrounded by family and the sounds of mariachi music, Alejandro Lua Castellanos died January 17, 2024.
He was born on February 28, 1930 in Oxnard, California to Pedro and Angelina. He always enjoyed the time he spent with his siblings: Edelmira (Jess), Roberto, Javier, and brother-in-law, Benjamin; Survived by: Adela, Alica (Raul), Arturo (Susanne), Yolanda, Eugenia(Juan), Carlos (Helyda), and sister-in-law, Amelia. Alejandro was a man who lived, as he would say, “con ganas” – with intention, purpose, and effort.
Growing up, trying to find his way, he worked the fields of Oxnard. Once his father found him at home and asked him why he was home during the workday. He said he wasn’t aware that he couldn’t eat the produce that he picked. Little did Alejandro know that this moment would be emblematic of who he would become – a man who worked hard, had fun while doing it, and found happiness in everyday life and the people he loved.
He loved none more than that of his wife of sixty-nine years, Consuelo, whom he is survived by. He would often state how much he “loved that woman.” Sometimes sipping on tequila, you could often find him singing a song to express how he felt about her, when his own words weren’t enough. There was always a song in his heart for her.
Alejandro was most in his element when he was with his children Arthur (Diane), Edward (Laura), Martha (Mario), Alexander (Armandina), Ricardo, his grandchildren, Candice (Hugo), Jennifer (Rick), Eddie (Rosie), Paul (Cristina), Stephanie (Johnny), Anthony, Angela, Alexis, Lauren, Miguel (Lily), Andrea, and his great grandchildren, Brandon, Michael, Daniella, Ariana, Zachary, Adrian, Jordan, and Damien.
Welcoming friends and family into his home was one of Alejandro’s greatest joys. It became routine that people entered without knocking, and actually, became quite strange when someone would. Often, Alejandro would build a fire in his meticulously crafted wood BBQ pit at his home when one of his kids would ask, not knowing what the occasion was. To Alejandro, building a fire meant bringing people together and connecting with his family and friends. On a warm day, you could almost guarantee that the building of the fire would be followed up with a head first dive into a four foot shallow pool (arguably less safe than when he went skydiving on his eightieth birthday), much to the “chagrin” of a blushing Consuelo.
Even though Alejandro was as playful as God can make, he loved the feeling that came from hard work. His white shirt and blue jeans – shoes optional, served as a perfect uniform for his gritty adventurous spirit. He put every ounce of himself into everything that he worked on, whether it was at the liquor store he and Consuelo owned in their early days, or eventually, their various real estate properties. Many times with a grandkid in tow, Alejandro would repair anything and everything that needed fixing, and would be frustrated when something wasn’t done “con ganas.” He earned every moment of his time to play. His infectious joy for work and play, he passed down to his grandkids whether they knew it or not, when he mowed his immaculate lawn on his tractor, a grandkid in his lap, beer in hand, no shoes, and a smile on his face.
Alejandro can best be remembered by his favorite song that he sang often, but most importantly, by how he lived the words of that song, “Siempre Viva,” (Always Alive).
Siempre Viva, in our hearts you will be, Alejandro.
Arrangements: Welch-Ryce-Haider
Rosary – February 1, 2024, 6:30pm
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Funeral Mass – February 2, 2024, 11:00am Old Mission Santa Barbara