Max was born in Manila, Philippines, to Maximino and Cresencia Nobida on April 16, 1934. He came to the United States in the early 1950s to be with his father, who emigrated from the Philippines a few years before him after fighting in World War II.
Max joined the U.S. Army in 1955, beginning what would become a lifetime-defining career in military service to his adopted country. He served dutifully for two decades as a mechanic, demolition specialist/instructor, paratrooper, and Green Beret. His record indicates four “official” combat tours of duty in Vietnam and is peppered with many awards and decorations—including the Bronze Star Medal uwith “V” Device for Valor, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. By the time Max retired in 1975 as a Master Sergeant, he served with distinction in such storied outfits as the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st, 5th, and 10th Special Forces Groups.
During the Vietnam conflict, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Max met Miyoko Gushiken, who would become his wife on Aug. 3, 1964. They started their soon-to-be large family in Okinawa, but he later brought everyone to the United States in 1969. The family first lived in Fort Devens, Mass., but then soon moved to Delano, Calif., when he was sent for a short stint in Korea. After retiring from military service in October 1975, Max uprooted his family to the Bay Area, where he worked for the U.S. Postal Service in San Jose, Calif., until he retired in 1996.
Max lived in Milpitas, Calif., since 1977, putting all of his children through the Milpitas school system. In his free time, he enjoyed karaoke, leather-working, operating ham radios, toying with electronic gadgets, playing the guitar and ukulele, cooking, raising his grandchildren, and collecting hats.
Max is succeeded by his children Lisa, Michael, Manuel, Maximino III, Martin, and Marc; his grandchildren Janine, Allen, Nico, Joshua, Madeline, Alexandra, Tyler, Tia, Eric, and Evan; and his great-granddaughter Lauryn Sabine. He joins Miyoko in Heaven, who moved on before him in 2016. Maximino “Max” Tariela Nobida Jr. passed away quietly in his home on Sept. 15, 2018. He was 84 years old.
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