Who would think to eat a hamburger would be so emotional. Jaylo decided she wanted to order the same hamburger you bought me for lunch the day I helped you with your sticker. As I sat here eating half  a hamburger that I don’t even like or usually won’t eat it brought tears to my eyes thinking back to that day. I was like really I don’t even eat damn hamburgers and u know that lol but I did that day because u were all excited that you bought me lunch for my help. If only we could have lunch one more time and enjoy your crazy conversations. Love and miss you so much 

He loved watching the boys playing sports growing up and always wanted to take pictures with them. Even if he was running late from work he always made sure to show up. 

It’s almost been two months & I still can’t believe this is real. Partly because I’m not ready to let go, but mostly because I don’t know what life is without you. Ever since I was a little boy all of my best memories include you. The beach trips, lytle creek, the snow, camping, barbecues, trips to the Orange show, grocery store, chilling at moms house, smoke sessions, working together, birthdays, holidays. & my favorite of them all, yours & my moms wedding day. It was an honor being a ring bearer. Not only was that the best day of your lives, but mine as well as I knew we would be safe, loved & protected forever, and just as I thought you would, you delivered. From day 1 when you were still trying to win my mom over, bringing ice creams to us across the street, to when things got rough, you always stayed by our side no matter what. I’m forever grateful & thankful that you came into our lives and made us complete. My kids are so sad without you, Alexandra misses you dearly and she’s always praying that “grandpas not gonna be sicky anymore” I still don’t know how to explain to her because I can’t even fathom it myself. I’ll always remember & miss the random weird stuff you did.  Like working In the mountains & after work you had me & josh load the truck up with a big tree stump so you could make a table. I’m like what the heck , this is just a heavy piece of trash haha but you did it. Dressing up with your dress clothes no matter the occasion or temperature outside. Or when you would chase us like a dog around the house when we were little. Or lighting/giving away 75% of the fireworks before it was 4th of July. Im glad I have so many memories to cherish forever but I still feel empty. I’m so mad, hurt, confused, & lost. I wish I had answers to all of my questions. Thank you for always keepin us together, & for bringing the family back together once again. I know your smiling, I love you Holmes please guide me & watch over us🙏🏼💙

Tio it will never be the same with out you its been so hard since your passing its been real rough my tia misses you so much I text her often she is one of the strongest women I've ever known you made her happy and you kept your promise to me to always protect her and the kids I told you be patient the kids will come around look at them now calling you dad they loved you more then you know you stepped in like a man took all the crap we all gave you and changed all of our minds kept a roof over my tia and cousins heads went to work everyday you did a real man's job the love you and my tia have is what every couple wish they had my tia loves you ...my cousins are hurting so bad but we will get through this as a family we will never forget you we will always honor you ..thank you personally for helping me make decisions when ever I asked you for life advice working side by side with you and my nino was everything I learned so much work a hard job and you used to yell you can do it holmes...you were also my big supporter when it cane to my music and again you told me you can do it Holmes just be you and never forget us ...thank you once again I will never forget our talks and your big ass head lol I told you how does that hat even fit on you lol damn I remember when I stopped by my tias after so many years of being away your face was priceless you were so happy to see me but I just stopped by you were leaving to take my tia to the movies and I told you I'll come back by what killed me is my tia you been waiting for me to stop by it hurts so bad to know you wanted me there and thank you for taking my side on all the bullshit that's been going on tio you understand I love you!! ❤️ wish I had just one more day with you so we can talk and bullshit again but we will meet again someday and I will have that burrito you always asked for ready just a bunch of left overs cause u never wasted food lol God took you from us but you got your wish to have us back together tio 

Happy 20th Anniversary Mom and Big Papa!! The love you guys had for each other was like no other. Big Papa you made mom so happy and it makes me so sad that your not here to celebrate with her. She misses you so much and was looking forward to this day as much as you were. I've watched both of you care for each other and put each other first over all these years. Thank
you for being a perfect example of what a
loving marriage really looks like. You guys
showed me what it was to love someone
unconditionally and to remember LOVE ISN'T ALWAYS PERFECT. IT ISN'T A FAIRYTALE OR STORYBOOK. AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS COME EASY. LOVE IS OVERCOMING OBSTACLES, FACING
CHALLENGES, FIGHTING TO BE TOGETHER, HOLDING ON AND NEVER LETTING GO. IT IS A SHORT WORD, EASY TO SPELL, DIFFICULT TO DEFINE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE WITHOUT. LOVE IS WORK, BUT MOST OF ALL, LOVE IS
REALIZING THAT EVERY HOUR, EVERY
MINUTE, AND EVERY SECOND WAS WORTH IT "BECAUSE YOU DID IT TOGETHER" I LOVE YOU BOTH ❤️

Happy Heavenly Fathers Day Big Papa!!!
Of course today wasn’t the same like any other Father’s Day but of course we still had to spend the day with you. Couldn’t thank you enough for all that you have done for all of us. We miss you so much and we love you dearly!!! 

We will never forget this day. Mike was so happy as his daughter -Amelia asked him to escort her to the Homecoming game. That day she was crowned Homecoming queen with her dad by her side.  He was so happy and proud as his daughter was crowned with him by her side. Now that’s a Father and Daughter memory that we will forever cherish. Me and her brothers looked on as he walked her down the field . He was so proud and happy as you can see with him with his big beautiful smile along side of her. We love you babee. The kids may not be his blood but that’s their dad!Thank you  to my husband for loving my kids as his own as they loved him just the same!

This is when Rip mikes new chapter in his life began 22yrs ago . This dedicated  loving respectful honest women turned his whole life around for the better. Being the happiest man alive .He met a REAL GENUINE WOMEN n her is BONNIE . Not only did he get her luv he got a whole family to luv even more n another baby girl that he calls “” BABY”” n more boys to help him out in life he couldn’t be happier n the luv between Mike n Amelia was bigger then this earth itself as much as the boys . That was there father n they will praise him always So I just say ppl please continue to keep them in prayer n also they had a son name DAVID( chuckie) BARRERA that grieves missing his dad. Have respect for the family n keep ur non sense to ur self . We live for now not the past  n we don’t care about wat when on in the past . The future is now n BONNIE IS THE LUV OF HIS LIFE PERIOD N SO R HIS KIDS .🙏💖

I have so many memories but one i find special is when we lived across the street from you and we would be playing in the street as little kids and all of a sudden we knew you would be home in 5 minutes because we smelt tar. Then we knew you were getting off the freeway.  I want to thank you Mike for taking care of my tia bonnie and my cousins. You took me in as your own when i was forever spending the night. I hope you knoe that then you were the only male role model in my life and I appreciate you more then you would ever knoe.  I Love you Tio Mike 
                                                                 CeCe

I have been looking for a picture with me and my uncle for days and this one randomly showed up in my Facebook memories from June 2016. Thank you for sending this one uncle Micheal. I know you made it to heaven.

In the few years I had the chance to know you, I quickly learned that you LOVED to take shots lol, you were unapologetically you, & you LOVED your family.  I will always admire the fact that no matter who was or was not watching, you remained true to yourself w. your crazy shirts, loud music, or sometimes inappropriate comments/stories lol Everyday was a celebration for you, & how could it not have been when you & Bonnie raised so many upstanding kids, & were enjoying life with your couple dozen grandkids. The grief everyone feels is a testament to the good person you were, it always hurts when the good ones go. Although Alexandra and Mila are still so little, I am glad they got the chance to experience memories with their Grandpa. The BBQ’s, Christmas time, your little “just because” gifts, it warmed my heart how you & Bonnie loved and thought of all the grandchildren. You will be missed so much but you will be remembered & loved forever, Rest in Peace Mike 

Our deepest sincere condolences to all the family . My heart breaks to no that mike s gone . God gained a real Soldier n he will be missed dearly . Our hearts r broken n to see the pain in my sister Bonnie n kids especially David ( chuckie) just takes a toll on me . Never did we think or imangen someone from our family would go , stay strong sister we’re here for u n will be as days go buy never to leave u alone “” A FAMILY THAT STICKS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER ALWAYS. god bless u 🙏🌹💖

Michael I just can’t believe that you are not here with us anymore.  You will always be my big brother.  🙏🏽💕

Grandpa you will always be in our hearts and I will always remember you and your great big smile. Hope you knew how much we loved you and how much you meant to us all. You were ready to gain your wings but our hearts were not. When u were in the hospital I was praying and couldn’t wait for you to come home, I said I was going to be your caretaker and help u get better but god called you home too soon. My bday was around the corner and I wish u could’ve came home to be here with us, it wasn’t the same without you especially without you photo bombing us in our bday pics as always. It’s hard to walk through your door because it brings back all the memories, I still can’t believe it’s true and that you aren’t here. It hurts so much. We will miss you so much especially your big hugs you gave us as we walked in- you always made sure to hug us when we got there and as we left. You would always pull my hair to mess with me when I was sitting at the kitchen table, now whose going to do it? Im going to miss our beach trips with you, you loved the beach and renting bikes for everyone to ride down the beach with each other. Bar-b-ques aren’t going to be the same without you blasting your music and burning the meat, but guess what I took over the grill this weekend with LeeLee and cooked in honor of you- hope you are proud of us. I still catch myself saying don’t let the back door slam when at your house because we would always say it when you were sleeping. Makes me sad u had just told me how excited u were to attend my first all-star cheer camp this year and now your not going to be able to be there but I will do great and I know you’ll be be there with me in spirit. Thank you for everything  you did for us grandpa and all the love you showed us. I’m glad I was able to talk to you 1 last time before you went but I wish I could’ve just gave u one last big hug. I know your in a better place now and your not hurting anymore. We love you grandpa may you rest in paradise. 

I still can’t believe Grandpa Mike is gone. He was a caring and loving person that made everyone feel welcomed. Every time I walk through the door I still expect to see him in the backyard playing music or in his room sitting on his chair. I get a little disappointed when he’s not there but I just remind myself he’s not hurting anymore and in a better place. My favorite memory is when we would be swimming  in the pool and he would be outside barbecuing and he would give us a piece of carne because we would always say “Is the food done yet” and it wouldn’t be. Memories like those I will cherish forever. Rest easy Grandpa.

My grandpa always included every kid even the ones who weren’t his grandkids when no one else did I loved that about my grandpa the most caring person in the world this one hit hard the most we all miss you and love you lots grandpa mike was a fighter he went into heaven with no pain he fought every second until he took his last breath forever n always in our hearts grandpa mike 

My favorite thing about grandpa was he was always so happy and he loved old school music he just always included everyone even if they weren’t family I love that about him he was special to us and always will be special to us he would make these funny joke he would make sure all his grandkids had what they needed along setting up the pool every summer lol he was so caring and generous we love you grandpa and miss you lots!! 

It's been two weeks and I still can't believe it. My only uncle I have such loving memories of you as a child. How you would always ask for a bite of my sandwich and take the biggest piece you could. The crazy food combinations you put together oatmeal and chili beans with a gallon of milk or just eat whatever was left over in the fridge. I also will never will forget the time it was raining at my grandma's house and you still had a BBQ in the garage. You were so interesting and funny to me and nothing stopped you from doing what you wanted even the rain. You were the type to always think outside the box. I wish we had more time to share memories as adults. I know God knew your personal battles and the heart you had for our family. I know God is merciful even for our short comings and God always still had you in his hands. I pray peace ✌ for our family over this lose. May your life be an example that we should be working to live our best life. This life is not promised and each day we have is a gift. I will miss you so much uncle Micheal.  Love, your niece Lynda

This is so unreal! There are absolutely no words to how we as family feel! Loosing you is the hardest thing we've had to deal with! We don't know why and we can't question the man above,  all we can do is pray for peace and comfort especially for My loving mother in law Bonnie. Knowing that your at peace is comforting, but doesn't make the pain go away! God knew we needed a guardian Angel and he chose you!!! I wish I could hear your voice, your contagious laugh and of course see  that big ol smile of yours!! I remember when you first called me " Cha Cha," I thought it was the funniest thing hahaha. i'd give anything to hear you say it again. Thank you for being the best grandpa to my babies and to all the other grand babies! You've definitely left your imprint on all our hearts, and gave us the best memories to cherish forever! We will forever keep your memory alive! I love and miss you soo much!! 

I send my deepest Sympathy. Life is so precious and death is such a thief. Wishing  you all peace and comfort during this time of sorrow. Mike you will forever be missed.. we can never forget loud Tio mike. Your laugh and voice will always be in our hearts and memories. The camping days will  forever be cherished. Thank you for giving my tia the purest of love and happiness. You will forever be her King. Thank you for caring and loving my cousins since day one. You became a huge part of their lives and I thank you for that. This is never a good bye but a see you later. “ Dear Angels, hear our prayers and please guard him with your gentle wings and tend to him with great care.” 
You will forever be missed Tio Mike. 

Wow can't believe your gone, thanks for being a great grandpa to my son. RIP Mike 🙏

Love you,,,  my little brother 

Till we meet again,  shots,  shots

Barrera Family: May the special memories you made as a family together help you through this difficult time, sending all of you love, peace & Hugs.


Never thought this day would come, it hurts so much. We had so many memories with you and I will cherish them forever. I miss you sooo much already and that big smile of yours. Walking into the house isn’t the same without your presence. You use to drive me crazy sometimes but I would do anything to get those days back. Your endless talks, you had lots of them, if only I could hear them once more. You called me to help you with everything even for the littlest things like to put a sticker on your truck, I would say to myself are you freaken serious you want me to drive all the way over there for that but I did and I will miss those calls now. Especially the bar b q days, whose going to leave the meat on the grill and burn it, It never failed you always got side tracked and left it on too long. You were all about family, family was everything to you and you always wanted us at your house. We will miss having to be quiet and running to stop the back door from slamming once you went to lay down for bed because you had to be up early for work and we didn’t want to get kicked out for being too loud. You were always so proud of us and the grandkids on anything we did or accomplished, no matter how big or small it was, you wanted to tell everyone all about it. You would tell other peoples news before they could tell it on there own but it showed us how happy you always were of us. You left a big impact on us and we will miss you dearly. Can’t believe you left us so soon but It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. Love you big papa

My husband, my love, my life, my other half. I miss you so very much Baby. Don’t know what me, the kids and the grandkids are  going to do without you.You we’re such a great dad, grampa and friend. We will forever cherish our memories and time that we all had together. Especially  our beach trips getting up at 4 am to head out.I will keep all our traditions going. I have some  big shoes to fill but I got this Baby!So you have no worries. You can Rest In Peace and watch over us with that big beautiful smile of yours.  I love you forever Baby!!l

OBITUARY

Michael Edward Barrera

March 21, 1967 – May 16, 2022

Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services