Lawrence A. Moraga; Retired Plumber, Ex-POW

Lawrence Adolph Moraga, a retired plumber, died at his home in Ojai early Sunday. He was 76.

He was born Sept. 27, 1923, in Ventura, where he was raised and attended school. He graduated from Ventura High.

Moraga joined the Army and served in World War II. He was sent to the European front and was captured by German forces. For six months, he was a prisoner in Germany.

After his military service, Moraga met his wife, Evelyn, whom he married in 1951. They have lived in Ojai for 48 years.

For 40 years, he worked as a plumber and was a member of the plumbers union in Ventura. He was also a member of the American Legion post in Ojai.

His granddaughter, Kristy May, said Moraga enjoyed gardening; most often, he planted vegetables. He also liked to ride his pink bike around town.

In addition to his wife, Moraga is survived by daughters Nancy May of Ojai and Marlene Muhammod of La Verne; sister Addie Lewis and brother Robert, both of Ventura; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. Recitation of the rosary will follow at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai.

A Mass is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas Aquinas, with Father William Olivas, O.S.A., officiating. Burial will follow at the Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.