Rudolph “Rudy” Castillo Sr.

Date of Birth

July 8, 1929

Date of Death

January 20, 2025

Rudy Castillo Sr. passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 after a long and fulfilling life. Born on July 8, 1929 in Santa Barbara, Rudy lived in Santa Barbara his entire life. His father Isaiah Castillo was from Texas and his mother Isabelle Ramirez was from the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

Rudy attended Lincoln Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High School and Santa Barbara High School. He was inducted into the US Army in 1951.
Serving in the Korean War as part of Fox Company of the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Division. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Upon returning home, he joined the Santa Barbara National Guard 144th artillery from 1954-66.

Upon discharge in 1953, Rudy married Phyllis Kendrick. They had four children Rudy Jr., Cheryl Lynn (who died in infancy), Sharon Kay, and Ronald Lee.
After arriving safely home in 1953, Rudy was employed in a variety of sales positions before entering into the floor covering business with his cousin Leonard Ramirez. Together, they owned and operated Len’s of Santa Barbara.

In 1977 Rudy joined Andros Carpets with his childhood best friend/brother Jim Andros. At the age of 80, Rudy retired from A.C. Ramirez Floor Covering. Rudy was known to his numerous customers throughout the decades as someone you could depend on and put your trust in, no matter what.

In 1959 Rudy joined the Native Sons of the Golden West, and in 1962 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Old Spanish Days.
Rudy’s passion for life was Old Spanish Days, a relationship he cherished and donated so much of his life and talents to, the most prominent being El Presidente in 1976. Old Spanish Days was another family for Rudy, where many would benefit from his talents, knowledge and dedication.

In 1989 he married Brenda Coffey and they shared over 30 years together. They loved cooking, barbecuing, gardening, camping, Dodger baseball, and spending as much time as they could with family and with each other. Rudy is preceded in death by his parents Isabel Ramirez Castillo and Isaiah Campos Castillo; wife Brenda Coffey Castillo; daughter Cheryl Lynn Castillo; and sisters Mary Helen Castillo Jimenez and Teresa Castillo Lopez.

He is survived by his son Rudy Castillo Jr. (Darcy); daughter Sharon Castillo Gray (William); son Ron Castillo (Lavina); stepdaughters Vickie McMurray, and Michelle Gasser (John); sister-in-law Diane Coffey (James Rockenbach); brother-in-law Keith Kendrick; as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

The family would like to acknowledge Trina and Gary Gleissner, and Allen and Vhima Martinez for the love and care they provided while Rudy was with them at Comforts of Home Senior Care.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna St. Interment with Military Honors will be at Calvary Cemetery, 199 N. Hope Ave., followed by a reception, 2-5 p.m. at the Carriage and Western Art Museum, 129 Castillo St.

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations in Rudy’s honor to Old Spanish Days and Carriage and Western Art Museum, 129 Castillo St., Santa Barbara.
Funeral arrangements entrusted by Pueblo Del Rey Funeral Services

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