Francisco Muñoz, 93, was called home on April 5, 2021. He was born to Francisco Muñoz Pedroza and Maria del Refugio del Real in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico on October 4, 1927. He was the fourth of five children: Luz Maria, Julio Cesar, Eduardo, and Berta. In his youth, he played basketball and swam competitively. However, his passion ultimately became the game of baseball. He was selected to represent the state of Chihuahua in a National All-Star series. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the Mexican Army and served a one-year term. His status as a valuable ballplayer on the army base earned him not only recognition but plenty of perks.

In 1947, he met the love of his life, Antonia Gomez Guzmán, whom he later followed to the town of Jimenez to continue their courtship. They married in 1955 and immigrated to Los Angeles, California in 1957. Together they raised 5 children: Laura (wife to Ron), Alonso, Francisco (husband to Diana), Cecilia (wife to Manuel), Claudia (wife to Jaime). He worked at U.S. Consumer Products as a warehouseman for 35 years. He was also a skilled electrician. Pancho was a man who loved sport and competition; the game of baseball continued to capture his passion. He played in various leagues throughout Los Angeles well into his thirties. He enjoyed taking his family back to Chihuahua on a yearly basis to visit family, reconnect with his roots, and expose his children to his native language and culture. As a couple, Pancho and Toña were involved in Catholic ministries for 40 years, including Marriage Encounter, Centro Sagrada Familia, and Right to Life League.

In the 80s, Pancho became Lito, as his family continued to grow exponentially. His life became filled with countless family gatherings and grandchildren’s sports and school events. Lito and Lita ventured around the world to China, Russia, Canada, and Hawai’i and made pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome, Fatima, and Lourdes. Although Lito had hung up the cleats decades prior, he could be counted on to predict the next play while watching his beloved Dodgers. He is survived by his devoted and loving spouse and his five children. He is survived by 16 grandchildren: Ron, Dan, Natalia, Francisco, Fabian, Julian, Aaron, Eliana, Lorenzo, Erik, Andres, Karina, Ismael, Adam, Emma, and Elias. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Kailey, Violet, Mila, Belén, Xavi, Benicio, Olivia, Emilio, Ava, Eleni, and Antonia.