It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Charles M. Barrena. He passed in the early hours of December 6, 2022. Dad made it to his 95 ^th birthday, and he did so, with so much grit, tenacity, sense of loyalty, patriotism and just pure desire to live life to the fullest. His daily saying of "La Vida Loca" was his definition of life.

Charles was born October 3, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan. His parents were Caismero and Inocencia Barrena. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Carmen Hively and his baby brother, Tony Barrena. At thirteen, his family moved to Los Angeles. He graduated in 1945 from Fairfax High School.

After graduation he joined the Army. He quickly became a platoon sergeant. He then was sent overseas to Japan, when he joined the 11 ^th Airborne. He remained in Japan until 1948 as a Private First Class. He joined the California National Guard in 1948-1951. He worked his way up to full colonel in 1974. He retired after 33 years of regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve in 1979.

Dad married Virginia, our beloved Mom, in 1954. They bought a house in Gilroy and raised their three children. Preceded in death was their son, Douglas Barrena. They had two daughters, Carmela DeLeon and Lynette Barrena, both of Gilroy.

His Wife, Virginia passed in 1979. He then married, Linda, who also preceded him in death, after 30 years of marriage.

Dad worked for P G & E, Sunsweet and sold Life Insurance. He then decided to go back to school and he graduated from San Jose State University in 1966 with a BA in social science and a teaching credential. He started teaching at Brownell Junior High in 1966. In 1969  he received his life tim teaching credential. In 1971, he received his Masters in education and his life time administrative credential. In 1971, he received his masters in Education and his life time administrative credential. He became life time friends with his co-workers at Brownell. He also enjoyed coaching wrestling at Brownel. To this day, we would run into former wrestlers and students, who remember Dad fondly. In 1979, he became Vice Principal at Glen View school and retired in 1990 as Vice Principal of El Roble School. During his retirement years, he continued subbing and was also the acting Principal at every school in Gilroy Unified with the exception of Gilroy High School.

Dad was always very active. He started running after the death of Virginia, he ran well over 150 5K's and 10K's. He completed 4 marathons and did very well for his age group. As he aged, he stopped running and switched to riding his bike, which he did so until his late 80's! He logged in over 10,000 miles on his bike. He recorded every mile he rode.

At 88 years of age, we decided to move him to Merrill Gardens, a retirement home in Gilroy. He thrived out there, it was not unusual to find him sitting at the heat of the table eating with five to six women. It was our extended family for many years. When Covid hit, we decided to move him back home. It was there that he remained.

Charles M. Barrena lived a long and wonderful life and he certainly will be missed by his grandchildren, Thomas Barrena, Robert Barrena, Jeri Sequeirus- Ramirez, Jason Henke, Janisse Quick, Marcus Martinez. Cherise Martinez, Sabrina Martinez and Jacob Martinez. He had 14 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

You did well, Colonel Charles M. Barrena, we salute you… at ease. Rest in Peace.

I Love You, More Daddy!