Obituaries

William S. Cobos

March 20, 1933-February 25, 2013

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, William Soto Cobos, “Bill” went to our Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of February 25, 2013 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Ventura, California. He was the only son of the late William and Pauline Cobos.

As a young boy during World War II, Bill and his family traveled to Sausalito, California, where his dad William Sr. worked in the shipyards as a welder to support the family. Bill would shine shoes on the local street corner in order to contribute to his family’s household. Little did he know, his boyhood job of shining shoes would later lead to marrying the daughter of a shoemaker and the love of his life, Lupe Garibay of Carpinteria. Their courtship only lasted 77 days, however their marriage lasted 56 years. 

After the war, young Bill and his family later moved back to Santa Paula, where he attended Santa Paula High School. He was active in sports (baseball, basketball and football), played the trumpet in the marching band, and graduated in 1953 as a proud Santa Paula Cardinal.  

Soon after high school Bill proudly served in the United States Navy from 1953-1957, serving abroad many U.S. carriers. It was in the U.S. Navy where he learned the trade of a welder, and after being honorably discharged worked with his dad at Brigham’s Manufacturing in Saticoy.  

The Cobos family continued to grow, with boys being born one after the other. The need to seek employment that provided benefits for his growing family prompted his career at Point Mugu Naval Base. Bill later worked at both Naval Base Point Mugu and Port Hueneme as a civil service employee for 25 years. After retirement, he was a proud member of the Mercer Prieto VFW Post 2043. He participated in many parades and funeral ceremonies, paying final respects to fellow service personnel.      

Bill was very proud of his six boys, often introducing as numbers one through six. He enjoyed taking his family camping, loved going to Las Vegas to watch his wife gamble, and enjoyed watching sports while barbecuing in the backyard patio. He loved all sports and never missed a Dodger or Laker game on TV. Up until the last night of his life, to see the Lakers finally win a game!

He enjoyed knitting beautiful blankets for friends and family. He coached Little League baseball while his sons were growing up. He loved to give his grandchildren coaching tips, and told them, “It doesn’t matter if you bring home a trophy; all that matters is that you have fun and do your best.” 

Bill was a devout Catholic, very strong in his faith and a proud Parishioner of Saint Sebastian Church in Santa Paula. He rarely missed mass. Even while traveling, he would find the mass times of the local Catholic Church and attend mass. He had great devotion to Saint Jude and always said, “That’s my Saint,” and would ask him to intercede for him during his time of need. He was a role model for his children with his strong work ethic and moral character. He was a generous, thoughtful husband and father, and always thought of others before himself.  

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lupe; their six sons, William Cobos III (Linda), Ronald (Cynthia), Richard (Virginia), Robert, Rene (Teri), and Rodney (Heidiann); 14 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. In addition, he leaves behind his beloved sister, Shirley Bustillos (Lalo) and only surviving uncle, Brother David Cobos, OSB (Order of Saint Benedict) at the Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside. He will also be missed dearly by his many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Pauline Cobos.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 4, 2013, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 235 N. 9th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060. A rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., mass at 11 a.m. and interment immediately following at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Mercer Prieto VFW Post 2043. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Castaneda-Crollett Mortuary, Los Angeles, CA.

Mary M. Stray

1939-2013

On Thursday, January 17, 2013, Mary closed her eyes for a final time with her adoring and loving husband Gary at her bedside. She had been a resident at the Desert Breeze Senior Living Home in Desert Hot Springs, CA since mid November 2012.

Mary always tried to enjoy life to it’s fullest. She was an excellent swimmer, excelled in Thai Chi and enjoyed her walking exercise even after her early onset of Alzheimer’s was diagnosed in early 2010. She enjoyed and excelled in cooking, making several dozen assorted cookies each Christmas for her customers, co-workers, neighbors and family to enjoy. Always had a paperback in her purse to read on her breaks or in a waiting room.

Born in Houston, Texas on February 26th, she moved with her stepmother and her two older sisters, Allene and Jean, to Santa Paula, CA shortly before beginning high school. Her birth mother passed before she was 5, and then their father passed before the move.

Mary married Gary on May 3rd in 1975 in Fresno, CA and moved to be with him and his sons, Mark and Stan in Carmichael, CA. In the fall of 1979, Mary and Gary moved to Aptos, CA and then to Palm Springs in late 1994. She always looked at these moves as opportunities to make new friends, enjoy new opportunities and explore new places.

Mary leaves many, many friends and co-workers from her banking career, beginning with and retiring from Bank of America. In 1995 she began working again with Palm Desert National Bank and later with Rabobank, both in Palm Springs. Priscilla remembers her as always wanting to help ALL the customers - not just the ones who were at her window! Coming up with great, funny one-liners with her quick wit. Fully retired when she and her husband moved to the Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs in 2005, Mary was ready to begin another journey.

In addition to her husband Gary, Mary leaves her sons Bruce, Mark and Stan, Gary’s sons and daughters-in-law - Michelle and Sheri, and Stan’s friend Gwynn; precious grandchildren: Riley, Kathryn, Rachel, Sean, Jillian, James and Melissa, and one great granddaughter, Anneliese; Gary’s sisters: Carol and son Kris, and Mary Lou, her husband Dave and their children Rob and Randy and their wives and families. Friends Shirley Cruse of Palm Springs and Meg Zaun of Fresno were like a sister and daughter to her.

Mary will be always be immeasurably missed by all, but especially by her older sister, Jean Haase of Fillmore, CA. Including many nieces and nephews who currently are living in the cities of Laguna Beach, Santa Maria and Fillmore, CA and Houston, Texas. Mary was preceded in death by Jean’s twin sister Allene Turk and a sister Gladys and brother JC.