Augustine Zuniga Avila

Augustine Zuniga Avila, known affectionately as Gus, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.  Augustine was born April 13, 1932, in Garden City Kansas. He moved to California in 1939 with his family and lived in Los Angels before moving to Ventura County where he was a resident for 81 years.

Gus attended Oxnard High School and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force.

He married his wife, Rachel in 1959 and had three children, Augie (Brenda) Avila, Lisa(Larry)Foster, and Patrick Avila. He had six grandchildren, Kristina (David), Anthony (Cynthia), Thomas, Matthew (Elianna), Lucas and Michael and seven great-grandchildren, Dominic, Noemi, Anthony Jr. , Miles, Julian, Maya and Nolan. Gus retired from the Naval Construction Battalion, Port Hueneme after 35 years of employment in the Transportation and Logistics department.

Gus was an avid bowler; he was proud to have bowled a 300-game witnessed by his son and grandsons. He played softball into his eighties and in 1990 won the senior California state championship with his team, the Seagulls of Oxnard.

Gus coached his sons Augie and Patrick in baseball at Statham and Southside little League over the course of 20 years, winning several championships with each. Later in life he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s award ceremonies and sporting events. You would see him at sporting events sitting on the top bleacher under his umbrella.

Gus had a love of music, he played the drums in the Avila Band alongside his father Antonio, two brothers and brother-in-law. Gus and his wife, Rachel loved dancing, the two were amazing together.

Family was most important to Gus, he enjoyed barbecues, gatherings and sharing stories with his family and friends.  He will be remembered for his kind and caring ways. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.

Gus was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel, parents Antonio and Piedad Avila, brother Tony Avila and son-in-law, Larry Foster.

Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. followed by celebration of Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 7 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Oxnard. Interment will follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, Oxnard.

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