Miguel Duque

Miguel Escobar Duque, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at the family home in Visalia, CA. He was born on June 28, 1939 to Francisco and Eva (Escobar) Duque in Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. He was the youngest of 6 children.

He moved to Mexico City when he was 16. He met Rafaela Melendez, his wife of 60 years, in 1959 after being introduced by a friend. They got married in 1964 at the Cathedral in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Cutler, California in 1965. In 1966 they welcomed their first son Miguel Jr. followed by their second son Carlos in 1972.

In 1967, Miguel and the family moved to Los Angeles where he worked for Pacific Clay for 8 years. In 1975, he started working at LA Metro in the maintenance department. While raising his two children with Rafaela and working full time, he went to school to become a diesel mechanic. He worked as a mechanic for Metro for 20 years. He retired in 1995. Rafaela retired in 2010 and they moved to Visalia, California in 2012 to be closer to family.

Miguel enjoyed reading, tending to his plants, watching the news, and the possibility of striking it big with scratchers or slot machines at the casino. Miguel was also very creative and innovative. He would upcycle materials and components to for all sorts of building projects. He and Rafaela like to travel. They went to Spain and Germany in 2010. Miguel loved to drive and they took many road trips to Seattle, Detroit, and many times to his beloved Mexico.

Miguel is survived by his wife Rafaela, his children Miguel and Carlos, and his sister Elena Duque. He leaves behind many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

Memorial

Funeral services will be held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church on Monday, June 3, 2024.

Viewing - 9:00 am

Rosary - 9:30 am

Mass - 10:00 am

Interment at Smith Mountain Cemetery – 11:00 am

Reception St Catherine’s Catholic Church Parish Hall – 11:30 am