Mike Luna Gamboa

Mike Gamboa was born on November 17, 1948, at San Jose Hospital to his parents, Ricardo and Maria Gamboa. He was the youngest of the bunch, growing up alongside his siblings Marge, Richard, Rose, Henry, and David.

In the late 1960s, he met Anita, and together they began a journey that would lead them into parenthood with the birth of Michael, Annie, and John—a life filled with adventure, timeless memories, and a strong foundation of love.

Mike attended James Lick High School and eventually found his way to Mission Trails Waste System, where he worked as an Industrial Waste Hauler for the Teamsters Union. After 37 years of dedicated service, he retired.

Retirement, however, didn’t slow him down. Mike remained eager to work and started his own hauling business, serving both commercial and residential clients. He loved bringing things home for his kids—especially bikes. At one point, he’d say they had too many and needed to get rid of some, only to later bring home even more. That was just Mike—bringing things home for his kids was his “thing.” He also enjoyed sharing random items he came across while hauling, especially if he thought they were “cool,” “worth something,” or “collectible.” To many people’s surprise, he often found some great treasures. Mike was generous with his business, always willing to help family and friends haul away things they no longer needed.

Mike was an avid football fan, especially when it came to his beloved Oakland Raiders. There are countless memories of him watching games with family and friends, experiencing both excitement and frustration in equal measure. You could almost always find him wearing a Raiders hat or shirt, along with his signature Raider bomber jacket adorned with Super Bowl patches. When the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, it didn’t matter to Mike—he proudly declared, “I will always be an OAKLAND RAIDER,” making sure everyone knew where his loyalty stood.

Fishing was another one of Mike’s greatest passions. He loved taking his kids—and often their friends—on fishing trips to various spots, sharing stories about life, fishing, family, football, and work along the way. Whether fishing alone or with nephews and grandkids, he appreciated the quiet stillness of the water and the company he kept, always waiting patiently for that next bite. Even at the age of 77, fishing remained one of his favorite pastimes.

Mike deeply loved his family and made it a point to attend as many family gatherings as possible—birthdays, quinceañeras, weddings, graduations, or even just a simple BBQ. He was always ready to sit with you, catch up, and celebrate with cheers and beers.

He lived his life making sure those around him knew how much they meant to him. Whether it was ending a phone call with a quick “Love you more” or simply showing up when you needed him, Mike’s love was always felt. Even in his final years, his spirit remained strong. He stayed sharp, often reminding everyone he was “fine and dandy like a piece of candy,” asking for his next snack, or reassuring you that he was still there—even when his mind tried to make him forget, Mike didn’t.

Mike will be deeply missed by many, but his legacy will live on—passed from one person to another in ways both big and small. You can see it in the kindness he showed others, hear it in the stories we tell, and feel it in the little habits we’ve picked up along the way.

Forever 77, and forever loved.