Eliodoro Cabrera Herrera

Eliodoro Cabrera Herrera was born on May 11, 1939 in the town of El Triunfo de San Miguel in Michoacán, Mexico. He was the son of Jesus and Maria de Jesus Herrera.

As a young man, Eliodoro came to the United States as a bracero. He returned to Mexico, and in the late 60’s, he and his wife Teresa decided to immigrate to the United States without their children in hopes of seeking a better life for their family. Their sacrifices and dedication allowed for the reunion of the family in the early 70’s. There in Torrance, CA, the Herrera family continued to grow. Eliodoro and Teresa had seven beautiful children. Eliodoro worked at American Racing for a decade and then went on to work in construction for several decades.

His wife Teresa passed in 1997, and a few years later, Eliodoro started a life with Margarita Pimentel. Together they had a son, Alejandro, and lived in Long Beach, CA for nearly 20 years.

Eliodoro loved working with his hands and admired beautiful architecture. He often built things for his friends and family - from planters, to walls, to even a tree house for his grandchildren. After his retirement, he took to gardening and proudly grew a backyard full of nopales, guavas, corn, chiles, avocados, and a variety of flowers and plants. Eliodoro loved to keep active and walked daily. He enjoyed listening to the radio, singing along to his favorite songs, and watching the Dodgers play. He loved spending time and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved any excuse for a gathering that included carne asada, plenty of food for everyone, music, and dancing.

He instilled in his family the values of an honest work ethic, determination, family unity, and the importance of faith in God. Eliodoro was a devout Catholic, and in his last year of life enjoyed attending services at St. Pancratius church in Lakewood, CA.

After years of battling Parkinson’s, recent onset of dementia, a couple of falls, deteriorating health, need for special and continued care, and myriad of other medical conditions, Eliodoro went to live with his daughter Maria in 2019. Eliodoro left us on December 28, 2020, and was preceded in death by his wife Teresa Melgoza Herrera. He is survived by wife Margarita Pimentel, and children Alvaro, Maria, Magola, Avelardo, Laura, Eliodoro, Araceli, Alejandro, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eliodoro was polite, kind, witty, patient, and above all a gentleman. He will be remembered for his smile, his love for his family, food, music, and dancing. Loved by all, forever in our hearts.