Frank Morales

Son of Mercedes Juvera Morales and Luis Barajas was born on June 4th, 1928 in Santa Barbara , CA and passed away on July 30th 2014. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Mary Cheverez Morales, his loving daughter and son Kathleen Morales and Frank Morales Jr., his sister Mary Martinez and brother Manuel Morales, grandaughter Shauna Morales Paddelford, grandsons Gabriel and Jared Morales, great granddaughters Andria and Gennevieve Paddelford, beloved nephew David Martinez, niece Rachel Medina and many nephews and nieces. Frank Sr is preceded in death by his sister Jesse Morales and his brother Raymond (Raza )Morales and Tommy Morales. Growing up in Santa Barbara Frank was a skilled boxer and for the entirety of his life remained a great aficionado of the sport. Along with boxing he was an avid swimmer and in an attempt to impress his girlfriend Mary who was later to become his wife, he would swim from east beach to the Santa Barbara wharf and back. In the 1950's as a young father Frank Sr. earned his living working on an abalone fishing boat as a line tender for the Benton brothers. For a short time he then moved his young family to the Bay Area where he worked as a bolt threader for Gilmore Steel Co. Frank was a strong union worker and supporter who advocated on behalf of the workers who were misclassified and being underpaid and as a result of his activism the policy was later changed. Being a true native of Santa Barbara Frank was drawn back home from the Bay Area and returned with his family. Not long after the Santa Barbara oil spill occurred Frank was one of the many men who helped clean our beaches and was then hired by Crosby-Overton Company with whom he worked nationwide on spills. In his later years Frank was self-employed and worked as a gardener on many Montecito and Hope Ranch estates. He loved working outdoors landscaping and was very passionate about his home vegetable and fruit garden where his favorite hummingbirds would pay him visits. Frank Sr. cherished listening to jazz, blues, gospel, Andrea Bocelli and had a refined ear for great musical artists. He was a kind and generous man who accepted his diverse friends for being genuine. Frank always said "To be a man is to love and care for your family" and when the family would ask "Dad don't you want to travel and go places?" he would answer "why? I already live in the most beautiful place Santa Barbara." Frank was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago. The Morales family would like to give special thanks to the wonderful team at the Santa Barbara Cancer Center whom include; Dr. Abate and Dr. Suh. Also a special thanks to Sherry Massey, Cindy Ambriz-Gasser, Melinda Burns, the Saint Cecilia Society of Santa Barbara, SB Hospice and our many loyal friends for their care and support during those very difficult days. Funeral Mass to be held at Saint Barbara at the Old Mission Thursday, August 7th at 11 am; burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Frank Morales

June 4, 1928 - July 30, 2014