Lompoc native and lifelong resident Alfred R. Lara died Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at the age of 67.

Born January 10, 1944 to Alfred E. and Rose Lara, Fred graduated from Lompoc High School in 1962. He was an automobile painter for Beattie Motors in Lompoc for 40 years. He was the owner of All American Auto before his retirement in 2001.

In his younger years he loved family and friend gatherings at Naciemento and Bass Lake. He was a skilled water-skier, and an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish with his father, sons and many friends. Anyone who knew him knows the passion he had for fast pitch softball. He coached from 1972 to 2009 beginning with his daughters. During his 37 plus years of coaching he was also able to help coach his granddaughters as well as the many, many teams and players that know him as "Mr. Lara." His successful coaching skills led him to win three Southern California championships, play in many national championships and, with the help from our community, was able to form a Traveling team and play all over California as well as out of state. His coaching career ended in 2009 after being a part of the Lompoc High School coaching staff for many years. When he wasn't coaching you would find him watching the game from afar no matter who was playing.

His most recent favorite past time was to go fishing with his daughter Loree

He is survived by his wife of 21 years Terri Lara, mother Rose Lara of Lompoc sister Elsie Cortez (Virgil) of Lompoc, daughter Tania Lara (Joe Barto) of Lompoc, daughter Loree Lara (Tommy Blea) of Lompoc, daughter Julie Crandall (Brad) of Lompoc, son Freddie Lara (Kristin Kalin) of Lompoc, daughter Jessica Lara (Miguel Flores) of Lompoc, son Gabe Lara (Teresa Melgoza) of Lompoc and stepdaughter Misty Sterk (Danny) of Taft. He is also survived by his grandchildren Sarah and Haley Crandall of Lompoc, Alexis Lara of Lompoc, Camila Flores of Lompoc, Gabe Jr, Eric and Liliana Lara of Lompoc, Evan and Savannah Sterk of Taft and his hephews, Richie, Michael, Gibby and David Terrones of Lompoc. He was preceded in Death by his father Alfred E. Lara in 2006 and his daughter Leesa Lara in 1968.

Father Tom Cook will celebrate the mass of Christian burial on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 10 am at La Purisima Catholic Church where Fred was baptized, and made his communion and confirmation as a child. Interment will follow in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

The funeral arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.