Miguel M. Gonzalez
October 11, 1952 - October 22, 2026
On the evening of October 22, 2026 our beloved “Papi” left this world in the sweetest way. After suffering for 8 years with dementia and COPD he went peacefully in his sleep.
Miguel was born October 11, 1952 in Aguascalientes, Mexico to Miguel Gonzalez Hermosillo and Beatriz Marquez Barba. He started school at the age of 3 and graduated from the University of Benito Juarez at the age of 16 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He came to the United States with his family, settling in San Juan Batista, California. He began his 48 year career in the Sod industry working at Cal Turf in San Juan in the harvest department, then working his way up to delivering Sod. Being behind the wheel is what he loved. In 1981 he transferred to Cal Turf Temecula where he worked in production and then became Ranch Manager. With the sale of Cal Turf he found a new home in 1989 with Southland Sod until his retirement in 2018.
To many, he was a quiet man, but to those who knew him well, he had a great sense of unique humor which we will miss very much. Miguel took great pride in his home landscaping. Every neighborhood he lived in was uplifted by his beautiful landscaping that inspired his neighbors to do the same. Miguel always made sure to work into his plans to add a palm tree or two (or twenty). His proudest accomplishment was being known as “Papi” to his kids and “Abuelito” to his granddaughters.
Miguel is survived by his wife Terri, his son Miguel (Dana), and grand daughters Eliana and Camila of Ringgold, GA, and his son Adrian (Kristi) of Oxnard, CA, who lovingly tended to him in his final months. He is also mourned by his furry companions, Forrest and Zoey and his granddog Nimoy. He is also survived by siblings Nena (Toño), Malena (Luis), Bety, Mari (Victor), all of Aguascalientes, MX, and his brothers Aurelio (Sonia) and Juan (Eileen) of Fresno, CA. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Carmen Taylor Laubacher (Carl) and Terri’s siblings Tom, Cindy, Rob, and Jeanne, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his older brother Luis, younger sister Laura, and his father-in-law Carl “Skip” Taylor. A private family service will be held later this month, sharing stories of his sense of humor and love for his family.