In 1941 Carlos Palacios was born in Long Beach California and was the first generation of the family to be born on the American mainland.

He served in the US Navy where he worked in payroll aboard the USS Black, received honorable discharge in 1966, he took great pride in his service and continued attending the USS Black’s annual reunions.

He had a long successful career in banking spending most of his 30+ years at Gibraltar Savings where he eventually became a Vice President running the Montebello branch.  He was active in his local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club in Montebello and eventually served as President in each organization - he retained his membership in his Rotary Club even after retiring.

After retirement and following the death of his mother in about 2001 he relocated to Napa Valley and later Roseville, CA to live with his nephew Tony Anderson and his wife Teresa, helping to raise their three children, Geoffrey, Madalena, and Sophia.

In his retirement he started working at a place called Bayberry who supported people with developmental disabilities and a couple years later started volunteering at The Arc California who supports of people with developmental disabilities and their families.  He also enjoyed volunteering with Joe Meadours and the self-advocates from People First which opened his eyes to the vast abilities of people with disabilities.

He had a strong love of animals which over the years included beloved pets including pedigree and rescued dogs, an adopted cat he found in the neighborhood, and his horse Freckles who received several hours of his attention and counsel every week.  He had many friends at the horse stable but his true partner and beloved friend was Cindy Brennan who he loved and leaned on for support for his high maintencence horse that he enjoyed spoiling.

He had developed a very strong faith and devotion to the Lord and the Catholic Church volunteering at the Sacramento Cathedral and Holy Family in Citrus Heights.  He started service to Holy Family volunteering in the book store and eventually became the chair of the church council, joining and performing in the Fine Arts League, singing in the 8:30 am mass choir. 

Finally no description of “Uncle” (he was known by almost everyone as “Uncle”) would be complete without acknowledging his fanatical enjoyment and frustration with his Los Angeles Dodgers, he once worked in the stadium parking gate, and the UCLA Bruins Basketball and Football teams.  He was addicted to his ESPN scores app but refused to watch his games live because he said “at my age I don’t have time to watch my teams lose.”

One would be hard pressed to find a person who knew Uncle who didn’t like him.  His light shined most brightly knowing he could be of service to anyone from customers seeking business and home loans, his fellow Rotarians, people with disabilities, the ministries of Holy Family Church, and to “go in peace in service to the lord”.  Carlos “Uncle” is survived by his sister Leona Luna (who he loved and teased relentlessly), his nephew and niece Tony and Teresa Anderson and niece Tiffany Heuser, Grand nieces and nephews Ashlee Heuser, Brittany Heuser, Geoffrey Anderson, John Heuser, Madalena Anderson, and Sophia Anderson, his adopted family the Wilsons (Merrell, Petra, Lalo, Vanessa, Devin and goddaughter Emily), Mona and Liz, Cindy Brennan, Sammy and Elliott, and Kyle and Kiki, and countless friends from church, the horse stables, Rotary, USS Black, and many Guamanian and Filipino cousins from the Blas Palacios and San Jose families.

Uncle we love you and give way to the lord in his next plans for using such a beautiful soul.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation from 5:30-8:00PM with a vigil service at 7:00PM on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 and are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at  11:00AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 all at HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH (7817 Old Auburn Road, Citrus Heights). 

 Service Information