Frank Castaneda

Frank Castaneda passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2018, after his two year battle with the incurable Pulmonary Fibrosis of the lungs, he was 76 years old. Frank was born in El Paso, Texas on March 25, 1942. He was the second oldest of eight siblings. He and his older brother Stanley would be the first to venture out at a very young age and found their way to El Rio (Oxnard) it was here that they would work hard and eventually be able to move out the rest of their siblings and their mom.

While attending a party at the Community Center in Saticoy he would meet and eventually marry his beautiful wife Diana. It was only two short years after being married that Frank would be drafted into the Vietnam War. With all of the ugliness of war, it brought beautiful, bonding, lifelong friendships with whom over the years would continue with reunions where they would laugh, have fun and in their own special way help heal each other with the aftermath of being in combat together. This was a very important part of his life and he continued to tell his stories to family, friends and even his grandson’s classroom. Frank was shot during combat and was honored with a Purple Heart for his service. He was the proud Sergeant of Alpha 2/12 25th Inf. Division and looked over his platoon like a father.

Frank and Diana had two children, Eric and Wendi. Summers were spent camping at the lake with lots of family and friends, dirt bike riding in the desert, traveling around the United States and always visiting with family.

Frank worked for the US Postal Service and retired in 1983 after having a quadruple open heart surgery, which by the way he checked himself out of the hospital just two days later…this telling you the type of strong minded man he was.

He loved to cook and would feed everyone in the neighborhood, whether it be the kids outside playing or his friends/neighbors across the street and next door, if you ever shared how much you loved something he made he would make it for you the next day. Frank loved to walk and would walk every day for miles entertained by the treasures he might find along the way. He loved to talk to everyone, he was so knowledgeable he always had an answer or a solution and always “knew someone” that could help you with anything. His biggest joy was his grandsons and he looked forward to going to watch all of their sports games…football, basketball and baseball. Frank was so proud of them and would do anything for them. He will truly be missed by many.

Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diana Castaneda; his daughter and son-in-law, Wendi and Joe Torres; grandsons, Jacob, Joshua and Jack; brothers, Stanley (Bobbie) Castaneda and Ray (Martha) Castaneda; sisters, Norma (Rob) Ladwig and Yoli Castaneda; sister-in-law, Beverly Conner; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Eric Castaneda; brothers, Ruben Castaneda and Bobbie Castaneda; sister, Irene Castaneda; and nephews, Andy Castaneda and Brandon Escobar.

Our family would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of Livingston Memorial Hospice Services for their caring support during this difficult time.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, in Ventura

Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018, 10:00am, at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 North “H” Street in Oxnard.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.