Louis “Flecha” Frank Segovia passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 6 in Oxnard, California at the age of 83.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1941 in Oxnard to Louis and Irene Segovia and raised in El Rio with seven siblings. At a young age, he became an avid sports fan. He would hand out water to the professional wrestlers practicing in the neighborhood at age 12, and when he got older, he played fast pitch softball for many years as a third baseman.
In 1959, he met Lydia, his wife of 59 years. Drawn to his green eyes and loving personality, she fell in love with him at first sight. They got married in 1966 after he got back from serving in the U.S. Army First Cavalry Division, providing heavy artillery in the Vietnam War.
Soon afterward, the couple started their family in El Rio. They welcomed their first child, Randy, in 1967. Then they had their first daughter, Rachel, in 1970, and their second daughter, Connie, followed in 1975.
Flecha’s children remember going on family outings to Disneyland, Six Flags, Dodger games and many camping and fishing trips. Their house was filled with a variety of music, or as he called it “sounds,” which included country, oldies and Mexican music.
The family also remembers his sense of humor. He would often tell dumb jokes that got a good laugh out of everyone.
Flecha coached at El Rio Little League for about 8 years. During his tenure coaching his son’s team, they won numerous championships.
He had a 35-year-long career working for the city of Oxnard that started in 1969 as a truck driver in the refuse department. With a strong work ethic and a passion for driving semi trucks, he eventually became a supervisor at the Del Norte Recycling Center.
In his spare time, Flecha liked going on deep sea fishing trips with his brothers and friends off the coast of California and Mexico. They would also take fishing trips to Bishop near the High Sierras twice a year.
Among their many yearly vacations, Flecha and Lydia would take trips to Las Vegas — which grew to include dozens of family members and friends — to celebrate his birthday.
After retiring at the age of 62, he devoted his spare time supporting his wife with her craft and street fairs. While he complained about cutting the wood into patterns and delivering the crafts, he took pride in the work they did together.
He also enjoyed sitting in the backyard, taking shots of tequila and building unique bonds with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Flecha is survived by his wife, three children, five grandkids, seven great-grandkids and six siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Charles. His family is holding a celebration of life on Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Oxnard Elks Lodge located at 801 S. A Street.