Cajetan "Caje" Amadeo Segura

Cajetan "Caje" Amadeo Segura was born on August 8, 1938, in San Acacio, Colorado, at the Herman Ranch to parents Belarmino "Ben" and Isabel Lopez Segura.

Raised on the family farm, Caje learned the value of hard work early in life. As the son of a potato farmer, he helped with livestock, milked cows, butchered sheep, pigs, and chickens for Sunday dinners.

He attended a rural elementary school through 8th grade and graduated from Centennial Union High School in San Luis, Colorado, in 1957. During high school, he was active in 4-H Club, Civil Air Patrol, and the automotive shop.

After graduation, Caje joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for six years as an aircraft electrician specializing in B-47s, B-52s, KC-97s, and KC-135s.

In 1963, he married Thelma Lobato at La Purisima Catholic Church in Lompoc, California. Together they raised two sons and two daughters.

Through the Veterans Administration program, Caje pursued higher education and earned three degrees from Allan Hancock College and the University of La Verne.

He retired from Celite Corporation after 39 years of dedicated service as a sheet metal layout craftsman. He was also deeply committed to labor advocacy. Caje served as Vice President of the Chemical Workers Labor Union, Local 146, and was active in the broader labor movement. He served on numerous committees and leadership roles, including legislative, health and safety, United Way, Labor Council, LCLC, and as a Tri-County Representative and Co-Chairman. He was awarded an EPA Hazmat scholarship under the Superfund Act and became an instructor and trainer for labor programs across multiple states.

A devout Catholic, Caje was a charter member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church (since 1962) and a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he remained actively involved in many parish activities and functions.

Caje's hobbies reflected his love of the outdoors and family. In his younger years, he enjoyed deer hunting on horseback, ocean and freshwater fishing, horseback riding, motorcycle trail riding, traveling across the United States, and, in later years, gardening—his favorite pastime.

He was also very active in his community and veterans' organizations. He was a proud member of the American GI Forum since 1961, where he served as Chapter Commander, California 2nd Vice Commander, and received the honor of Veteran of the Year, AGIF California, in 2014. He also belonged to American Legion Post 211, DAV Chapter 91, Foresters 1062, and served as President of the JM Club, as well as a member of the Riding Club and Quarter Century Club. In 1995, he was recognized as Tri-County Labor Leader of the Year.

Caje supported youth sports as a coach, manager, and board member for Village Hills Little League, and Boys Club youth wrestling, where his sons participated.

Caje was preceded in death by his parents, Belarmino "Ben" and Isabel Lopez Segura; brothers, Leopoldo "Leo" and Estevan "Steve" and sisters, Ellen and Esther Segura.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Thelma; his siblings, Alonso (Madge) Segura and Linda "Margaret" Duran; his children, Amadeo "Ben" Segura, Paul (Raquel) Segura, Lita (George) Ogg, and Lisa (Jason) Williams; his grandchildren, Ben, Tyler, Niko, Brandon and Dillon Segura, Toni (Anthony) Huerta, Rusty and Clayton Ogg, Ethan (Hannah) Williams, and Jade Williams, Christian and Jacob Segura; and great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Michael, and Ellena Huerta, Aiden Segura, Ares and Penelope Segura.

Caje was a kind and friendly man who loved people, but most of all cherished his family and grandchildren. He never saw strangers – only friends he hadn't met yet.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 9th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm, with a Rosary beginning at 6:00 pm, at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 North A Street, Lompoc, CA. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, September 10th at 10:00 am at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc, CA.  Graveside service to follow at Lompoc Cemetery.

Following the graveside service, the family will gather with friends for a reception at the Elks Lodge, 905 East Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA.