Samuel Aguilar, lovingly known as Pops, was born in 1940 in East Los Angeles, the second of seven children in a family that knew both love and hardship. When Samuel was twelve, tragedy struck — his father passed away, leaving his mother to raise all seven children alone.

He remembered those days vividly — walking to school in shoes with holes, feeling the rain soak through, and hearing his father’s voice in his mind: “You can’t miss school. You’ve got to get an education.” Their small, worn-down home overflowed with resilience, laughter, and the scent of apricots from the tree out front.

Samuel grew up quickly. One morning, while home helping his mother, he discovered his father lifeless in bed. It was the moment he realized how fragile life was — and how strong his mother had to be. He would never forget the quiet nights when he’d see her crying by the window, whispering toward the stars, “We’ll make it. We will persevere.” And they did. Every one of her children finished school, a legacy carved by her strength.

Samuel’s teenage years were filled with modest dreams and simple joys in East L.A. During the vibrant Mexican Independence Day parade, he met Eva, a bright-eyed girl who waved at him from the crowd. That small wave became the start of their love story.

Their courtship was innocent — long walks home, conversations on her porch, and evenings watching TV under the watchful eyes of her parents. Over time, Samuel won them over. After high school, he asked Eva to be his girlfriend. She said yes through happy tears.

They married in June 1961, fulfilling Eva’s dream of being a June bride. Samuel converted to Catholicism out of love, though he felt more at home in the joyous gospel of his youth.

Soon after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a supply handler during the tense years of the Vietnam War. His time overseas left him partially deaf, but it also taught him the value of dedication, diligence and duty.

When he returned home, Samuel used the GI Bill to attend Rio Hondo College and buy a house in Whittier. He built a steady career in the garment and distribution industries, eventually becoming a warehouse manager. But family remained his proudest achievement. He and Eva had two children, Gina and Sam — both large, healthy babies who brought light into their modest home.

Eva struggled with diabetes, and Samuel became her caretaker, learning to administer her insulin and watch over her carefully. Their love deepened through hardship.

Then, one weekend in Las Vegas, Eva fell ill. Despite his concern, she insisted on waiting to see her doctor until after returning home. The following morning, Samuel woke to find her quietly gone — the woman who had waved at him all those years ago, now at peace.

Her death broke him, but Samuel carried on, holding tight to family. He moved to Fullerton to live with his granddaughter and her husband, surrounded by the next generation who adored the stories of Pops — the boy who walked to school in torn shoes, the soldier who served his nation, the husband who loved deeply, and the man who never stopped believing in perseverance.