Los Fresnos Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

Maybe it’s coincidence, maybe not, that Ing. Efren “Red” Cenoz O’Bannon is turning the century marker in his life in the same year as LFCISD is celebrating it’s 100th Anniversary. Efren or “Red” as most affectionately addressed him because of his red hair and dynamic personality grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico. His parents were French-Irish.

He studied medicine at Mexico A&M and University of Mexico, but all the while his love was flying airplanes. In 1940, he attended a pilot training program in North Port, Minnesota and flying became his life through 1952. During this time he also served as a pilot instructor for Latin Americans at White Bear Lake, Minn., during World War II.

After the war, he headed up operations for Magcobar de Mexico, a high-grade barite drilling mud producer in Mexico. He served as General Manager for the company and was often featured in “the Magco Scene”, the company’s newsletter.

To say that he has lived an experience rich and exciting life is an understatement. Efren currently resides in Los Fresnos and on March 22, 2016, “Red” celebrated his 100th birthday. The Los Fresnos community is filled with rich history and amazing people such as Ing. Efren “Red” Cenoz O’Bannon. From the staff at Los Fresnos News, congratulations “Red”!