Felipe Castillo Zepeda, 83, of Santa Maria, California passed away in his home peacefully with family by his side on April 24, 2025.

Felipe was born in Jalisco, Mexico on February 6, 1942. He is the epitome of perseverance in living the American dream as a business owner for 51+ years.

In 1959, at the tender age of 17, he migrated to join his father in Paso Robles. With proper documentation, little to no funds, and big dreams, his American journey began. Some of his earliest employment was in the Paso Robles mountains, where he cut lumber and specialized in charcoal for 2 ½ years.

Felipe was known for having an extraordinary work ethic, character, tenacity, and charisma. These qualities were the right combination that helped him create a strong foundation in the agriculture industry from 1965-1971.

On January 6th, 1962, after three months of dating, Felipe married his love and joy, Socorro. Together they lived in a small shack in Paso Robles, with the anticipation of their first child, they moved to Guadulupe and soon after had many more children. Their next journey took them to a larger home in the north end of Santa Maria. In 1983, they purchased their dream home in Orcutt and created many memorable celebrations with family and friends including Felipe’s famous BBQs.

He began his entrepreneurship in 1972 with 150+ employees and had partners in several companies throughout his tenure. Cesar Chavez visited his house in Guadalupe as they both fostered change in agriculture following the approval of the California’s Agricultural Labor Relation Act of 1975. Together they picketed and brought awareness to this cause. In 1985, he started Los Dos Valles Harvesting with his brother Manuel. Together they employed hundreds of workers in the Central Valley, Salinas, and Oxnard. Felipe completed his broccoli business when he bought Obispo Cooler in 2005.

Felipe loved hunting, traveling, and making people laugh with his memorable humor and funny stories. He always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and did so by supporting and donating to many charities within the valley or just assisting people in a time of need. His integrity and confidence were well known, along with his demeanor and style. His fashion was one of a kind, sporting cowboy boots, belt buckle and long sideburns; some would say he was Elvis’ twin, but it was his sparkling blue eyes, generosity, sense of humor and charisma that would catch the attention of people.

Felipe is survived by his wife of 63 years Socorro, his sons Hector Zepeda, Felipe Jr. Zepeda, Juan Zepeda, David Zepeda; his daughters Elvira Zepeda and Martha Buentiempo. He is further survived by his brothers: Manuel Sr. Zepeda, Allen Garcia, Hugo Zepeda and Joel Zepeda and sister Michaela Chavez; grandchildren Jessika Zepeda, Laycie Zepeda, Martha Baez, Kalynn Zepeda, Trisdon Zepeda, Karenbell Zepeda, Felipe Zepeda, Joshua Zepeda, Nathan Zepeda, Troy Zepeda , Zoie Zepeda, Meadow Zepeda, Ashley Buentiempo, Brianna Buentiempo and Mia Buentiempo; great grandchildren: Rosalio Zepeda, Ezekiel Estrada, Khloe Garcia, Xaiyden Gaitan, Xander Baez, Amelia Baez and many other aunts, uncles, friends and loved ones.

We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 13, 2025: family at 4 p.m. and public viewing at 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Dudley Hoffman Mortuary.

A memorial celebration of Felipe’s life will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Santa Maria followed by burial at Santa Maria Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 (1309 N. Bradley) at 12 p.m.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.