Eugenio Ornelas

Eugenio Ornelas was born in Guadalajara, Mexico on June 1st, 1953. He was one of eight children, who still reside in Guadalajara and one sister who has departed. Eugenio's late mother was named Evangelina and his late father was named Wenceslao. Eugenio's dear mother tragically passed away when he was only 8 years old. The family rejoices in knowing he has now joined his dear mother who he has loved and missed so much for 65 years. Eugenio went home to God, his parents, his sister Rita, niece Juanita, and great niece baby Carol on May 5th, 2026. He passed away surrounded by his wife of 50 years and 7 months, and his 3 adult children along with other close family friends. Eugenio entered eternal rest being held, kissed, thanked, caressed and hugged. He heard how much he was loved, how much they will miss him and they prayed for him to have a beautiful journey to meet his mother. Eugenio was set free at 7:50 in the morning. He is survived by his loving wife Edith, sons Danny and Jesse, and youngest child and daughter Leslie. In addition, he leaves behind his Russian tortoise Petunio and his little love, Pickles, the energetic new puppy.

Eugenio immigrated to the USA in the early 1970s; while his journey to get here and his survival was very challenging, he was not one to give up. He just kept going and kept fighting. He was a hustler. What came next is an unimaginable testimony of hard work, perseverance, initiative, creativity, endurance and an intense drive to become a respected designer and producer in Beverly Hills. He was a creative, a visionary. Eugenio is nothing short of an extreme inspiration for multiple reasons. His enthusiasm to be the best really lived up to be an achievement. In 1973, he met Edith at Fairfax High School, the love of his life, who is now his forever love and mother of 3 children. They were wed on October 31, 1975 in Los Angeles, CA. People can respectfully say he lived the "American Dream". In addition to providing for his family, Eugenio was well known to wholeheartedly help his dear family in Mexico and his wife's family in El Salvador. Eugenio will always be known as an exemplary father, a compassionate and self-less giver, a kind and generous man, and an extremely loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Besides the generosity towards family, Eugenio also took care of people and gave to those who he did not know. He truly had a heart of gold.

During his career, Eugenio created numerous beautiful works of art. He had an incredible talent. His hands were master inventors and innovators. He was an influencer in his own creative way. He was highly regarded by the people of the trade and was called a "maestro". During his leisure time, he enjoyed cultivating his garden and sitting in the sunlight, absorbing the goodness of the sun. He was often found closing his eyes and taking in the sun's energy, while listening to the birds sing or the humming birds fly close to him. He loved wildlife and often rescued little animals with his daughter. The family will never forget when he rescued the desert tortoise in Joshua Tree and helped release dozens of newly hatched sea turtles in the Caribbean. Eugenio planted and grew an avocado tree, a guava tree, a lemon tree, different flowers and a rosemary bush, and a beautiful wall of Jasmine's that engulf the gate covering his home. He took care of his mango tree, the large succulents outside, and built the tortoise enclosure for Petunio, the tortoise. He also built a memorial garden for his loving pets who crossed the rainbow bridge. Eugenio highly enjoyed playing CHESS. He became a master of the game. It was hard to find anyone who could challenge him. Matthew, Leslie's husband, was his challenge. Eugenio and Matthew were often seen having an hour+ game of chess in full focus. Eugenio played his last game against Matthew on May 3rd, besting him in game 7 out of 7. Eugenio enjoyed playing with his canine companions and comforting them when they were at the end of their lives. He enjoyed watching NBA and NFL games with his family. He was a Kansas City Mahomes fan, and a fan of the Warriors, especially Steph Curry. He enjoyed playing SORRY! with his wife Edith and of course, usually winning. Eugenio loved to spend time with his family, whether it be outside in the sun, barbequing, taking long walks, playing board games, watching great films or cooking. He and Edith gracefully put together a Quinceañera for their daughter and then years later, planned an enormous engagement party for her and her fiance in Guadalajara. There they also celebrated Edith’s birthday and their 47 year anniversary. And again, a couple of years later, Eugenio and Edith proudly walked their daughter down the aisle to marry Matthew after asking for her hand in marriage. He also enjoyed all of the travels and adventures that he and his daughter and wife went to, including touring the Caribbean, Jalisco, Yucatan, California, Baja California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State. Leslie has his adventurous spirit. Those two do love a green forest. Eugenio and Edith especially loved the helicopter flight from Nevada into a remote area in the Grand Canyon. She also took them on a private plane flight over Southern California. Eugenio enjoyed discussing geopolitics with Matthew and his family. He was always against the atrocities of war and spoke out against people oppressed. He was a chef as well, enjoying cooking menudo, pozole, capirotada, tacos dorados, carnitas and chilaquiles. He always welcomed people into his home and showed them love through his food. Eugenio was warmly welcomed by his family in Mexico during his travels, where he was able to sit down and enjoy the traditional cooking by his sisters Celia, Mercedes and Lourdes. Eugenio truly loved going to Guadalajara and spending time with his loved ones. He enjoyed visiting the church where his parents were resting, St. Augustine, even though it brought him to tears every single time. He would always tell his mom and dad, "till we see each other again." The family sincerely believes that he is with them now.

Shortly after his retirement, he was found to have a rare blood syndrome. It is deemed his syndrome was exacerbated by receiving the novel vaccination. He had advocated for safe medications since he became very ill. He led and fought with poise. Seven years later, he decided to take off his boxing gloves and finally be at ease. He did not succumb to his illness, rather he focused on other important things in life, his body, conversations with his family and his very own journey.

Eugenio's legacy will live on forever in the memories of his loved ones and in the plethora of life lessons and wisdom he has gracefully and respectfully taught. Hence, the family calls him their “Gran Maestro”. The love of his family is reflective of the loving person that he was. Through his guiding tools and principles, his core values will live on in anyone who knew him. He will live through the lives of his children and wife, and through every person that he has loved and affected. His spirit lives in every person who has ever met him. He will live through people speaking his name, sharing his stories, and living through his heavenly guidance. He will live through his life philosophies. A way to keep his spirit and name alive is to do good to others, especially to those who cannot give back. Offer an unhoused person a meal. Buy the street dog food. Offer the person looking through trash cans for cans and bottles money or food to eat. Save your cans or bottles for them. Offer any extra you have. He would encourage you to share your blessings with family and strangers. His ultimate reward was to see people and children smile, and never go hungry, unhoused, or go without gifts. He would want people to think of him and feel happiness, and not to frown or mourn. The family wishes to thank everyone who has supported them through his journey. May he rest in eternal paradise.

The Ornelas and Weinglass Family would like to wholeheartedly thank every single person who attended his funeral services and who has supported them through calls, messages, visits, food deliveries, flowers and memorable gifts. They would like to take a moment to gracefully thank those who have provided monetary donations.

Many people have asked about a funeral fund, in which there is no formal one; however if anyone would like to contribute, they may send via VENMO to: @Leslie75, or through ZELLE to: 323-336-7547 to Leslie Weinglass.

The family thanks you so much for the support during these very difficult times.

SHARE A MEMORY BELOW

A THOUGHTFUL WORD OR CHERISHED MEMORY CAN BRING COMFORT DURING THIS TIME. ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY, WE INVITE YOU TO SHARE A PERSONAL STORY OR KIND MESSAGE THAT REFLECTS HIS LIFE AND THE MOMENTS THAT TOUCHED YOUR HEART.