Michael Angelo Rosales

Michael “Mike” Angelo Rosales, passed away at 7:13 pm on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by love and in the presence of his wife, Shirley, and three of his ten children, Tim, Sarah, and David.

Michael was a loving husband, dad, grandpa / “Papa,” brother, uncle, friend, and coach. Michael Rosales is survived by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Gloria Rosales, and his ten children, Diana, Catherine, Thomas, Therese, Michael Jr., Letitia, Peter, Timothy, Sarah, and David. Additionally, Michael is survived by 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (with two on the way), his sister, Alicia, and brother, Alejandro Jr., and dozens of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Alejandro Sr. and Margarita Rosales; brothers Baltazar, Abelardo and Ricardo; and sisters Lenora, Hortencia, and Gloria.

Michael was born on September 29, 1932 in Campbellton, Texas, as the eldest son to Margarita Sotelo and Alejandro Rosales. He was the fourth great-grandson of Alamo Defender, José Gregorio Esparza, and descended from one of the original Canary Islander founding families of Texas. His childhood home had one room, a dirt floor, and no indoor plumbing.

Learning English as his second language, Michael was held back during his elementary school years. In 1951, he was a starting split end on the Texas State High School Championship Pettus Eagles football team. Michael lettered in baseball, basketball and track & field as well. When not starring in athletics, Michael spent his time picking cotton & watermelons, and was a service station attendant. In 1952, Michael proudly graduated from Pettus High School. In the same year, Michael and Refugia Longoria gave birth to their daughter, Diana.

Like many Hispanics in South Texas at the time, Michael faced racial discrimination. In fact, the rural hospital staff phonetically misspelled his birth name, Miguel, and wrote “Megill Rosalis” on his birth certificate instead. Michael was always somewhat reluctant to share such hurtful stories, teach his children Spanish, or expose his children to deep wounds caused by experiences such as “No Mexicans Allowed” in restaurants and public pools.

One notable incident occurred after a high school football game, which involved his team stopping for a post-game meal at a diner. His coach was told that all players could eat inside except the “Mexican” players. This meant that Mike could only be served a meal while sitting alone on the team bus. His football coach immediately rejected the notion of the team not allowed to eat as a unit, promptly returned all the players to the bus, and proceeded to a restaurant where equality was respected. With such gratefulness, Michael Rosales remained lifelong friends with his high school football coach, Dennis Grizzle, and his English teacher, Earline Grizzle.

In 1953, Michael Rosales enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to basic training at MCRD San Diego and eventually stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base near Oceanside, California. In 1955, he married Faith Mary Schlangen, and in 1956, he was Honorably Discharged holding the rank of Sergeant. During this time, he and Faith moved to Los Angeles, California. There, Michael enrolled at Los Angeles City College and later transferred to California State University, Los Angeles. To pay for his education, Michael worked for the Los Angeles Law Library, Los Angeles Herald Examiner

Newspaper, and Sears.

Michael and Faith had four children, Catherine, Therese, Michael Jr., and Peter. They resided in Highland Park, a historic neighborhood of Northeast Los Angeles.

In time, Michael graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He began his 41 year career with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as an elementary school teacher. Later he earned the role of vice-principal and finally became an elementary school principal. He primarily worked in Spanish-speaking, lower-income schools, serving in East and Southeast Los Angeles. During his tenure with LAUSD, Michael received his Master of Arts in Education from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He was the first in both his immediate or extended family to attend college, graduate, and earn a postgraduate degree. Michael held four separate California State Teaching and Administrative Credentials, was appointed by the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles to serve on LAUSD’s Superintendent Call to Action Goals Committee, and then was appointed by the Superintendent to guide the Elementary Principal’s Organization Executive Committee. Michael directed and participated in an educational program series featuring news anchor, George Putnam, which aired on television. He also produced and directed a benefit concert for the advancement of bilingual education in elementary schools at East Los Angeles College, featuring several notable Hispanic celebrities of the time.

In 1972, Michael married Shirley Gloria Belling and the two resided in Glendale, California, for three decades. There they raised their three children, Timothy, Sarah, and David.

Michael, being a proud Alumnus of UCLA, continued being a lifelong UCLA sports fan. In fact, he held Bruin football season tickets for numerous years and was a regular at the Rose Bowl. During his time in Glendale, he served as President of the Foothill Little League, was a baseball coach and manager for several Babe Ruth, Connie Mack, and Mickey Mantle level baseball teams. Further, he was a member of the La Cañada High School Spartans Booster’s Club.

During his spare time, he was a member of the 40 years and older “Over the Hill” softball league in Toluca Lake. The league was an eclectic mix of players, including his brother, Alejandro Jr., and others from the entertainment industry, educators, and law enforcement. Michael was enlisted to play by one of his best friends, actor Henry Darrow, (The High Chaparral) and became lifelong friends with fellow player and film producer, Garry Marshall.

In the early 2000’s, following Michael’s retirement from the Los Angeles Unified School District, he and Shirley moved to the Coachella Valley in Southern California. While residing in the desert, he became an avid golfer and continued to follow his passion for education by taking on roles as an adjunct professor at California State University, San Bernardino and a writing instructor at a local elementary school. Finally, in 2019, Michael and Shirley moved to Henderson, Nevada, to be closer to family. There he continued being an avid lifelong Los Angeles Dodger fan.

Lastly, and most importantly, Michael was a man of very strong faith, an affectionate and loving husband, supportive father, involved grandpa / “Papa,” devoted brother, caring uncle, and friend. He was incredibly proud of his entire family and enjoyed sharing their success stories with others. Regardless of their age, he always had a hug and kiss for each of his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He loved to socialize with others in person and on the telephone, tell stories about his life, joke around, offer words of encouragement, read the newspaper, play at the casino, dress spiffy, watch his Bruins & Dodgers play ball, enjoy spending time with his grandchildren, and dance with his wife, Shirley.

Due to COVID-19, government restrictions will be in place, and all guests must wear a mask while in attendance.