Leo Arranaga

LEO ARRANAGA

Leo Arranaga, beloved husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law was greeted into heaven on October 9, 2012. He was born November 15, 1925 in El Paso, Texas. The family moved to Los Angeles four years later. He graduated as Student Body President of Jordan High, and after high school enlisted in the Coast Guard as a Pharmacist’s Mate during World War II. Upon his return he continued his education at Compton College and Occidental College from where he graduated with a Masters Degree in Administration, and was a member of the 1947 Junior Rose Bowl Championship football team and 1948 Raisin Bowl Championship football team at the respective schools.
His post-college career began as a junior high coach and in 1952 a football coach for Glendale High School in Glendale, California where his teams succeeded in winning several championships. In 1965 he was hired as Director of Student Activities by the Newport Mesa Unified School District, at which time he moved his family to Newport Beach where the family home remains.
Leo eventually retired from education as Assistant Superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District. Retirement didn’t last as he continued working several more years for his brother’s food distribution company, Robert Arranaga & Co., in Los Angeles, as Vice President. He selflessly gave of himself to others, participating as a member of the Orange County Grand Jury, and volunteering for SOS in Costa Mesa, and at Hoag Hospital. When he wasn’t working, he and his family enjoyed many years together at the family beach house in Leucadia, body surfing and barbecuing.
Leo loved his family above himself and most enjoyed the loving companionship of his wife, Georgette, whom he married in 1950, his children and grandchildren, never failing to say “I love you” in so many ways.
Leo is survived by his wife, his children Michele, Jeanine (Jack) Roskos, Chris (Jennifer), Kristi (Hector) Pacheco, eight grandchildren, and sister Aurora Saldamando. He is so greatly missed and we were blessed by his presence among us.