A funeral mass for Gilbert J. Navarro, 78, of Lompoc, will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. John Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

A native and lifelong resident of Lompoc, Mr. Navarro was born December 1, 1930 to Teofilo and Cecilia Luna Navarro. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War veteran. Gilbert worked as an automobile mechanic for most of his life and was employed at Sunset Chevrolet for 47 years before retiring in 2000. He was a faithful and longtime member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Gilbert also belonged to the American Legion Post 211 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1717. His favorite pastimes included gardening, traveling, fishing and watching Lompoc High baseball and football games.

He died Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at his home.

Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Lorraine Navarro of Lompoc; daughters, Toni Vargas, Carmen Kershaw and Beatrice Chavoya, all of Lompoc, and Micaela Rodriguez of Santa Maria; sons, Gilbert J. Navarro, Jr. of Mio, Michigan, Mario Navarro of Fresno, Calif., Albert Navarro of Melbourne, Florida and Eduardo Navarro of Lompoc; four sisters, four brothers, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and former wife and friend, Josephine Chaney of Lompoc. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one brother, and son, Joseph Navarro.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.