More detail on this person: Louis Etcheverry, 75, of Bakersfield, CA passed away suddenly on
January 1, 2016. A Bakersfield native, Louis was born to Pete and Elvira Etcheverry on June 25,
1940. He attended St. Joseph Elementary School, Garces Memorial High School, St. Mary's College in
Moraga, California, and San Francisco State University before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1960.
His Marine Corps service began in Pensacola, Florida, with flight school, after which he served ten
years of active duty that included two tours in Vietnam, the later as a helicopter med-evac pilot.
Everyone who knew Louis knew how proud he was to be a Marine and to serve his country as a real
patriot. After leaving the Marine Corps with the rank of Major, he entered the University of Idaho
School of Law and graduated in 1973. Because of his love of Bakersfield and pride in being part of
the Basque community, he returned to Bakersfield with his family and began the practice of law. In
addition to his work as a local attorney, Louis became a part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern
District, and served in that capacity until he was appointed to be a Court Commissioner for the
County of Kern in May 2002. In April of 2005, he was appointed to the Kern County Superior Court
where he served until his retirement in 2013.
In 1965, he met and married his wife of 50 years, Eleanor, and together they became the proud
parents of two children, Paige Etcheverry- Barnes and John Etcheverry. Louis loved being involved in
his children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events, as well as skiing, go-carting,
hunting, and fishing with them. Faith, family and work in the legal field were foremost in his life.
He was a devout Catholic who served his church as Eucharist Minister, Lector, and teacher of RCIA
and Confirmation classes. Hobbies Louis enjoyed included running marathons, golf, cycling, and
target shooting. Being a grandfather to his five grandchildren became one of the greatest joys and a
big part of his later years.
In addition to the medals he received while serving as a Marine, Louis was proud to be an inductee
in the Garces Memorial Hall of Honor, member of the Kern County Veteran's Stand Down Court,
President of the Kern County Bar Association and member of the University of Idaho Law Review.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Elvira Etcheverry and sister Julie Etcheverry.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, children Paige and John; and his wife Nanette, his five
grandchildren, Hunter, Paris and Nikki Barnes and Kaitlyn and Tessa Etcheverry as well as numerous
relatives and close friends.
Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Friday, January 8, with Rosary at
11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 12:00 noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Garces Memorial High School or the Wounded Warrior
Project (supportwwp.org/wwp)
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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