Eduardo "Eddie" Bañuelos quietly passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, California. He maintained his humorous & clever wit until age 86. He leaves his wife of 65 years of marriage, Marian and their children & spouses: Mark, Craig, Dino & Cindy, Susan and Danny Solomon, Patty and Gene Gray, Brian and Steve Vettel, Linda and Andy Litavniks; grandchildren: Steven, Elyse & Michael, Cameron, Erin, Kristen, Kylie, Victorija, Sabrina, Chad, Jessica & Cherub; their great-grandchildren: Natalyse, Frankie Dean, Madison Jane, Kynzi, Blake and Makaela. Eddie was pre-deceased by his first born son, Steven Edward, his parents J. M. and Maria Bañuelos & his sisters Rebecca Travis & Eleanor Spencer. He is survived by his two close brothers – Rudy Bañuelos and his wife, Joanne; Albert Bañuelos and his wife, Carleen, his lifelong friends, Bill Wilkinson & Arlene Azcona and close friend Theresa Scattini.

Eddie was born on May 22, 1930 to Jesus Maria (J.M.) and Maria Bañuelos in King City. He grew up on a small ranch, east of Arroyo Seco on walnut & apricot orchards--of which many of the apricot trees he & his father hand planted. He was the fourth of five children. Eddie was educated at Greenfield Elementary and King City High School. Eddie was a natural athlete and he played football, baseball and basketball--creating high school basketball records that would not be broken for 30 years. Eddie was honored & humbled when he was inducted into KC High School Athletic Hall of Fame-- being one of first athletes selected from the 1940's era.

Eddie enlisted into the US Navy and he served in the Korean Conflict from 1948 – 1952 aboard the destroyer, USS Buck as a sonar man. In 1950, he married his high school Little-Filipina-English sweetheart, Marian Jacob. After leaving the Navy, he began working at the "Friendliest Store in Town" - a small corner grocery store on El Camino Real - The Economy Market - where he learned the grocer trade and eventually became one of the first Hispanic-sole proprietor in Greenfield. Eddie retired from the grocery business after 37 years. He and Marian continued to be present in the community through their catering business, E&M Catering until 2008 and becoming well know for his BBQ'ing.

He was a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion Post #635 & the Greenfield School Board. Eddie was an avid sports fan of the San Francisco Giants & 49'er Football. Eddie's passion, enthusiasm and love of sports led him to coach and mentor young boys in Little League and Babe Ruth League over 10 years. He was inspired by the words of KC High School Principal, Farnum S. Howard, "Remember Who You Are, Where You Are, and What You Represent". This sentiment has been the family creed. It was important for him to share his knowledge (sometimes, whether you wanted to hear it or not) to achieve your personal best.

Eddie joined the Volunteer Greenfield Fire department in 1953 and he held various positions including firefighter and the Fire Chief. Eddie took great pride in his Fire Chief role and he influenced the re-organization & conversion from a the "volunteer" to "full time paid" role and the new fire house. He served in the Greenfield Fire Department for 51 years.

A Rosary will be held on Wednesday, 27 July 2016 at 10 am,followed by a Mass & celebration of his life at Holy Trinity Church,803 Elm Street, Greenfield, CA. Reception to follow at Greenfield Memorial Hall, 615 El Camino Real, Greenfield, CA.

Donations may be made to American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/, Alzheimer's association http://m.alz.org/donate.asp or Greenfield Fire Distric http://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/176/Fire-Department