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: 03/10/2024
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