A strong voice of community pride and optimism in the City of Fillmore has gone silent with the passing of Fillmore Fire Chief and Assistant City Manager Rigo Landeros. Chief Landeros had a love of family and community that was known throughout Ventura County. His love and devotion to those he cared about was unmatched, and he was constantly waving and greeting friends, children and citizens as he would drive around the City in the Chief’s fire vehicle.
Rigo Landeros was born on February 5, 1964 in Fillmore and grew up in the City he loved. His childhood dream was to join the Fire Service as a firefighter and he started working as a part time volunteer firefighter in Fillmore after completing a reserve firefighter academy in 1991. As he developed his skills with the Fire Service, he also worked as a meat cutter with Gelson’s Markets, where his talents were quickly recognized and within a few years he became an executive in that chain. But his beloved City and his love for the fire service beckoned to him and he left Gelson’s in 2009 to become Fillmore’s Fire Chief, a position he filled in an exemplary manner until his passing on January 7th.
But above his love for firefighting and community was his love for his wife Laura and his family. He was a devoted husband to Laura, father to children Christina Bingham (Elden), Daniel and David Landeros, and grandfather to Gabriella and Mia Bingham. He is also survived by his father and three brothers and three sisters.
To Rigo Landeros, no matter who he met in his daily travels, his caring for others before himself was always apparent. Chief Landeros will be missed by many as will his responses to anyone who ever asked how he was on any given day. His responses would always reflect how he felt about how he lived his life – “Just another beautiful day in paradise, my friend” or “Living the dream”. May Rigo rest in peace and those who knew him be comforted with the knowledge that he would want them to continue to feel the love that he bestowed upon so many.
A public memorial service for Chief Landeros will be held at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Ventura, 3501 Loma Vista Road on Tuesday, January 19th at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements under the direction of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary.