Michael King McLendon

Michael King McLendon, age 78, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. His journey on this earth, halted by bladder cancer, was marked by love, humor, integrity, and talent, as well as remarkable resilience and devotion to his family.

Mike, as he was known to many, was a life-long resident of California. He was born in Covina on October 19, 1946, and raised in nearby Baldwin Park, where he was popular in school, learned to play guitar, and became an all-star baseball catcher. After his graduation from Baldwin Park High School, Mike proudly served four years in the Navy (1965–1969) and held top secret clearance. Upon his honorable discharge, he married a go-go dancer he met in Hawaii and—after a curved spine thwarted his plans to become a police officer—launched a 27-year career with Southern California Edison. He was a meter reader in Compton, a field services representative in Redondo Beach, and a customer service supervisor in Fullerton, where in 1976 he met the love of his life, Marina. After a seven-year courtship, during which time he attended Long Beach City College, he married Marina and soon after relocated to Blythe with their then-toddler daughter, Jaime, and Marina’s teen son, Eric. Mike had always wanted to live there, near the Colorado River, where as a boy he spent many summers water skiing with his family.

In the decades that followed, Mike devoted his time to career, hobbies, and family life. He had a strong work ethic and took pride in his leadership skills, public speaking abilities, and knack for connecting with and mentoring people. This was evidenced in his rise to management, his workplace relationships, his unwavering diplomacy, and his friendships in the Blythe, San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Barstow, and Yucca Valley communities. A proficient and well-respected Budget & Services Manager, he retired in 1996 due to a diagnosis of blood cancer—a 10-year battle he ultimately won.

Mike was an avid runner, reader, and musician. He also loved animals. He relished a good game of tennis, especially with Marina, and loved to play guitar, especially with Jaime. He performed a number of gigs in a number of bands and, following retirement, took up teaching guitar at the local guitar shop. His love of guitar, as well as his passion for spy, crime, and thriller novels, continued long after the onset of his Lewy body dementia in 2014.

In 2018, Mike moved to San Diego, where he had more convenient access to healthcare and his daughter and granddaughter living next door. During this time, he enjoyed long walks with his faithful dog, people watching, and reconnecting with old friends. As his dementia progressed, he moved in with Jaime in 2019 and together they lived in Santee, where he spent the remainder of his life in her care. The family is deeply grateful for the support of neighbors and close friends and the kindness shown to him during this time.

Mike was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Sadie McLendon. He is survived and forever remembered by his wife, Marina McLendon; daughter, Jaime McLendon; stepson, Eric Stegall; granddaughter, Katherine Boyer; sister, Jackie Barrile; brothers-in-law Ron Barrile and Joseph “Joe” Bueno; sister-in-law Jacqueline Witt; mother-in-law Marie “Toni” Bueno; and many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind countless others who will miss him greatly.

Funeral services and reception will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 25, at El Cajon Mortuary in El Cajon. A private burial will take place at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.