Mr. Mike L. Carrillo

Michael L. Carrillo March 7th, 1921 - October 8th, 2011 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mike L. Carrillo, age 90, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and great great grandfather. He was born in Porterville, CA and moved to Delano at the age of nine. He attended school in Delano and had the privilege and honor to play baseball under the direction of Coach Fredericks. In 1938, he met Catalina "Katy" Hernandez and four years later, they decided to elope in Kingman Arizona. They were happily married and cared for each other for 69 years. Mike proudly served his country during WWII by serving in the U.S. Army and was eventually honorably discharged. He then started his own trucking business that lasted over 30 years. One of Mike's greatest achievements was being a co-founder of the Mexican American Pioneers (established 1983) which championed civil and social rights to promote equality within the community. After retirement, he surrounded himself with the thing he cherished the most--his family. Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed playing golf, pool, baseball and taking his wife out dancing. He played a variety of musical instruments but his favorite was the harmonica. He enjoyed family get-togethers, cooking his specialty dish, pork and cabbage (aka Grandpa Food), watching boxing, the Dodgers and a variety of sports. He was quick witted and could make you laugh with a one liner--even if it was directed at you. On any given day after a good meal, he would ask for some "postre" (dessert) and jokingly say, "Gimme me a bee-yah!" Mike was a kind hearted person who loved his family and friends. Although we know that one day we will see him again, Mike leaves behind a beautiful family including his loving wife, Catalina; two sons, Mike Jr. and wife Gloria and Porfirio and wife Alice; two brothers, Genaro and Manuel; five sisters: Lola, Mary, Jenny, Annie and Jessie; six grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren and his dog Rusty. He was preceded in death by his parents, Porfirio and Nicanora, his brother, Esuebio and his sister, Herlinda. A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 13th, from 4-6 p.m. with the rosary to follow at 6 p.m. at the Delano Mortuary located at 707 Browning Road. The Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church located at 1015 Clinton Street on Friday, October 14th, at 9 a.m. He will be laid to rest at the North Kern Cemetery. The family of Mike L. Carrillo would like to thank Fernando Bravo for providing homecare assistance to our grandpa for the past three years. Lastly, the family would like to thank Grandma for loving, honoring and caring for Grandpa "till death do us part." "Come to me, all of ye who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 Our Grandpa will always live in our hearts, his memory will never be forgotten and his legacy will forever live on through his family. We love you Grandpa, we thank you for always being there for us and we miss you already

Services entrusted to Delano Mortuary.