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01/01/2021 - Bakersfield, CA, USA

Paco Iturriria passed away in Bakersfield, California.

[Updated May 1st, 2021: Services will be held Friday, May 7, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 900 H Street, with a Rosary at 9:30am and Memorial Mass at 10:00am officiated by Monsignor Stephen Frost]

He was a well-known and appreciated person within the local Basque community and in the city of Bakersfield. He was a very significant and beloved man also in the sheep industry to which he dedicated a lifetime.

Born in the the Ortiborro house in Lekaroz (Navarre), they were fourteen brothers and sisters, five of whom came to the United States, where they began their activity as shepherds and later sheep ranchers in the Bakersfield area. Over the years, Paco became director and president of the Woolgrowers Association, and leader and pillar also of the Kern County Basque Club and its Basque community, where his children and grandchildren have taken up the baton and proudly continue the legacy they received.

-See here a video in Basque about Paco's family

Paco died after fighting against cancer, with his family by his side, leaving a great void in them and among all those who knew him, in the Basque community, in the city of Bakersfield and in the sheep industry of Bakersfield and California.

In the next few days we will give more details, as soon as they are provided to us.

Our most sincere condolences to his wife María Luisa, sons Frankie and Louis, daughter Julia (Goyeneche) and grandchildren, all his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and to the entire Iturriria family both in the US and the Basque Country, to his many friends and to the entire Basque community.

Goian Bego (GB) Rest in Peace Paco Iturriria

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UPDATED: Obituary as published in Bakersfield Californian, Legacy.com from Jan. 9 to Jan. 19, 2021:

Francisco "Paco" Iturriria, 86, entered eternal life on January 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Paco was born on January 28, 1934 in Lekaroz, Navarra, Spain to Francisca Goñi and Bautista Iturriria. He was the seventh child born into a family of fourteen siblings. After attending school at the Colegio de Lekaroz, he continued his education and enrolled in the Catholic Seminary in Pamplona, Spain. It was there that he realized his love for the land, animals, and his strong faith in God.

In 1952, along with his brother Miguel, Paco left his homeland to fulfill his dream in the land of opportunity and arrived in Bakersfield, California at the age of 18 to work as a sheepherder for M & R Sheep Company. They joined their oldest brother Andres in Bakersfield, and together with brothers Fernando and Antero, they began the Iturriria legacy here. For six years, Paco herded and tended to sheep throughout California. In 1958, Paco, Andres, and Miguel began I & M Sheep Company with Joe Mendiburu. The partnership flourished for 25 years and in the early 1980's, the three brothers began operating the business on their own. From there, the operation diversified to include cattle and farming and it continues today. He developed many friendships in his career, which he treasured throughout his lifetime.

Paco was a highly respected leader in the sheep industry. He served as President of the Kern County Wool Growers Association for 25 years, President of the California Wool Growers Association, and on numerous committees for the American Sheep Industry. He was honored for his years of service and dedication to the industry by the California Wool Growers Association in 1995 as "Sheepman of the Year" and in 2020 as "Master Shepherd".

Paco's strong work ethic and dedication to his profession were surpassed only by his passion and love for his family. During one of his trips to visit his family in Lekaroz, he met the love of his life, Maria Luisa Barberena Iturralde, from the neighboring town of Irurita. They were married on October 23, 1971, and then settled in Bakersfield where they raised their children. Together, they enjoyed a beautiful life and worked hard to reach their dreams of providing educations for their children and building their foundation of faith. Paco always looked forward to his trips to Bridgeport, California with his family to visit the sheep operation during the summer, enjoy the beauty of the Eastern Sierra's, and share in his love of the outdoors and fishing.

While Paco was a proud American citizen, his love for his Basque culture remained strong. He was an honorary lifetime member of the Kern County Basque Club and took great pride in instilling the love of culture, faith, and family in his children. He delighted in returning to the Pyrenees Mountains regularly to visit his family and friends.

Paco is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters Andres (Maria Esther), Maritxu, Conchita, Manuel, Antero, and parent and brother-in-laws Adolfo (Julia), Bautista, Jose María, Miguel Angel, and Jose Joaquín.

Paco is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years Maria Luisa, his children Frankie (Renee), Louis, and Julia (Raymond) Goyeneche. He was a proud Aitetxi to his grandsons Adrian, Marcos, Remy, and Rafael. They were the light of his life and he will now be their guardian angel in heaven. Paco is also survived by his brothers and sisters Gloria, Bautista, Miguel (Yvonne), Fernando (Yvonne), Pazita, Txarito (Norberto), Luis Mary (Ines), Martín Jose (Isabel), his brother and sister-in-laws Lolo, Lourdes, Pili (Juan Miguel), Cristina, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Due to social gathering restrictions and for the safety of family and friends, services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kern County Basque Club, P.O. Box 416, Bakersfield, CA 93302. Special thanks to Farr Medical Group, AIS Cancer Center, and Hoffmann Hospice for their compassionate care.

Aita, ez zaitugu ahaztuko. Beti egoin zara gurekin. Betiko maite zaitugu.

Goian Bego (GB) Paco Iturriria