Louis Barraza

Louis Calvillo Barraza

Captain, US Navy

September 13, 1942 ~ January 8, 2021

Louis Calvillo Barraza, Jr. lost his valiant battle with COVID-19 on January 8, 2021 and returned to his heavenly home.

Louie was born in Bakersfield, California on September 13, 1942 to Louis Barraza Sr. and Jessie Calvillo Barraza. The eldest of four boys, always known lovingly to his family as “Junior,” he was serious and studious and, due to WWII, did not meet his father until he returned from the allied front in 1946.

Louie loved playing basketball, spending time with friends, and soon met his first great love Pamela, while attending Bakersfield College. Through her, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Louie and Pam married, and soon welcomed daughter Tatia as he worked and pursued higher education while also enlisting in the US Navy. Louie endured great loss when Pam and their second daughter, Melissa, passed.

As a young father living in San Diego, Louie found his second great love, Denise - in Utah at LDS General Conference. They were soon married, and Joel, Jeremy, Matt, Ben, and Jessica made the Barraza family complete as the years went on. Louie and Deni celebrated 51 years of marriage together. One of his great joys in life was to take his family, and especially Deni, on trips to see the ocean and the forests of the northwest. His final words to her were, “I love you sooo much!”

After his faith in his Savior and family, education was most important to Louie. Throughout the course of his studies, he earned a Bachelors and two Masters degrees. He taught high school math and English, and upon the family's moving to Utah after completing a Masters at Brigham Young University, Louie began a career at Weber State University that would span over 35 years. He worked in the Counseling Center, as the Multicultural Center Director, and other roles in Student Affairs. He loved helping students achieve their goals and using technology to improve insight at WSU. One of his favorite roles in retirement was as the Parking Services Appellate Judge.

In addition to his work in higher education, Louie served 25 years in the US Navy Reserves beyond his active duty service. Retiring at the rank of Captain, he focused on helping men and women achieve success as officers in the military. He went above and beyond, even taking groups of faculty and students to tour Naval Bases in San Diego.

We remember Louie as a hard worker, a counselor, a storyteller, a historian, and a scholar. He was strong, a Captain, an athlete, a comforter and as confident as they come. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and the many memories they shared in travel and their favorite place on earth, San Diego.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Sr. and Jessie; brother, Randy and wife, Pamela; and daughter, Melissa. Louie is survived by his wife, Denise; children, Tatia (Greg), Joel (Morgan), Jeremy, Matt (Tony), Ben, and Jessica; his 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; as well as his brothers, Greg and Carlos.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

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