Carlos “Calie” R. Yniguez

Carlos “Calie” R. Yniguez earned his wings on October 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Carlos was born in Castroville, California, to Agripin and Margarita Yniguez, and was proud to be one of eleven children.
A proud Vietnam Veteran, Carlos was drafted in 1966. He courageously served in a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit within the Americal 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. Following his military service, Carlos dedicated his career to craftsmanship, eventually retiring as a Master Brick Mason.
Carlos was a man of many passions. He fell in love with baseball as a teenager and played passionately into his early fifties. Later in life, he took up golf, making his first hole-in-one at the Salinas Fairways. His ultimate pride and joy, however, was his 1961 Chevy Impala. Built from the ground up with a little help from his friends, it remained his favorite "work in progress."
Carlos is survived by his beloved wife, Viki, with whom he recently celebrated 57 years of marriage. He is also survived by his children, Carlos Yniguez Jr. (Rachelle), Santiago Yniguez (Amy), and Leticia Yniguez-Sousa (Alisson). He is blessed with 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind 4 sisters, Elizabeth Stapleton(Dee), Victoria Briggs, Evangeline Bradley, and Cynthia Vargas, as well as many dear in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends.
The family extends their deepest, heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kelsey Gray and her staff, as well as the dedicated doctors, nurses, and staff at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center for their compassionate care.
Services will be held on Wednesday, November 4th, at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church in Castroville. The viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial will take place at Castroville Cemetery in Moss Landing, with a reception to follow at Richard’s Hall.