During service to his country and while traveling abroad, he met and married the love of his life, Carmen Munoz. Together they raised five children. He had many nick-names through the decades, "Oso" and "Teles" from his childhood, "Blackie" from his days in the service, and "Lucero" from his wife.

He attended Sacramento City College where he received his G.E.D. and went on to study history, heating/air and mechanical drawing with his GI bill. A true student of life, his motto was, "You are never too old to learn" (from the man who knew 7 languages).

He began work early in life as a ranch-hand, doing farm work and becoming an accomplished horseman. He joined the U.S. infantry in 1941, was a tank operator in the 1st Armored Division, and he later entered the Army-Air Corps. He fought in WWII, and was taken prisoner. He escaped and was captured three times before being liberated.

He remained in the service when the war ended, serving in the Military Police until his retirement in the late '60s.

After leaving the Military, he worked at a cannery in Sacramento and as a chef in Rancho Cordova at the Western Rib House where he became locally famous for his BBQ ribs. From 1961 he resided in North Highlands, CA.

He enjoyed reading, working mind puzzles and brainteasers and learning new things. He loved tinkering, making use of discarded things. He shared philosophy, poems and war stories over many decades, along with hand-made jewelry. He traveled around the world, as well as the 50 states. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 102.