Lou Hemenez died on March 20. He was 94.
Hemenez was born on April 16, 1913 in Hayward, Calif. and moved to Malibu in 1950. He and his wife built their home and raised their children in Serra Canyon.
Hemenez worked as a helicopter mechanic for Boeing, but his true love was creating a retreat with fruit-bearing trees and vegetables. Hemenez became a docent at the Adamson House when it opened and was a member of Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church. He spent the last 38 years of retirement tending to his retreat and its oranges.
Hemenez is survived by his second wife of 38 years, Jane; his son, Richard, his daughter, Sharon; five grandchildren and seven great-grandsons. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, 3625 Winter Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 or to Vistas Hospice Care, 333 Lantana St., Camarillo, CA 93010.
A memorial service took place on April 6.