Freddie Rivera Colón, 75, of Santa Maria, passed away April 3, 2025. He was born in La Granja, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

His family moved to Stockton, California, when he was a year and a half old, and resided there for a short time, eventually settling in Oxnard, California. Freddie attended grade school in Oxnard and graduated from Oxnard High School in 1968.

For a short time, he attended Ventura College, and worked for Sav-on Drugs before moving back to Puerto Rico. Freddie attended the University of Puerto Rico and was a member of ROTC.

Freddie remained in Puerto Rico for almost three years before moving back to Oxnard. During his time with Sav-on Drugs he was also in management, and retired after 20 years.

Freddie eventually was hired by the county of Santa Barbara, working in the Public Defender’s office. While there he became well known and respected by all. Freddie stayed with the Public Defender’s office until his retirement in 2018.

In 1974 he started dating his wife Rose Mary Rosales. In 1975 they welcomed their first child, and a year later they started their lives together. They eventually got married on April 18, 1984, and have been together since.

During their marriage they welcomed five children who survive him Armando Colón and wife Melinda, Freddie Colón, Rosalana (Alana) Goldsholle and husband Josh, Camillia (Cami) Colón, and John David Colón. These five children blessed them with five grandsons, nine granddaughters and three great grandchildren.

Freddie is also survived by his sister Iris Buckner and husband Gary; brother Joe Colón and his wife Marta; sister Emily Colón; and brother Cristobal Colón and his wife Elva.

He also has two aunts Tia Emily and Tia Iris, as well as lots of nieces, nephews and cousins not only here but in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

Freddie enjoyed fishing, dominoes, throwing steel point darts, pool, and softball. He was very competitive in everything he did.

He loved to travel, garden and play poker. He enjoyed watching his grandkids play their sports, and weekend estate sale finds with his wife Rose.

Freddie is preceded in death by parents Raúl and Mercedes Colón; oldest sister and brother-in-law, Myrna and Dave Rich; little sister Ada Irma Colón; uncles Willie Colón and Ernesto Colón; grandparents Cristino and Matilde Colón; and inlaws John and Vera Rosales.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 18 at the American Legion in Old Orcutt.

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