My Dad's Obituary

Miguel Calvo Gonzalez passed away Saturday, July 28, 2007 in Yuma. He was born on March 16, 1933 in Esguevillas de Esgueva, Valladolid, Castilla-Leon, Spain.

He was the son of Miguel Gonzalez Fernandez and Elena Calvo Gonzalez.

Miguel left home at an early age to enter the Catholic seminary. He became a priest and served the church faithfully for many years. His clerical duties consisted, in large part, of teaching children at the primary level, which he greatly enjoyed.

Miguel immigrated to the United States in 1972. He left the priesthood in 1974, upon deciding to pursue a family life. He worked as an insurance salesman, a realtor, and a teacher before retiring.

Shortly after leaving the priesthood, Miguel met and married Socorro Alarcon Gonzalez. They had three children.

Those who knew Miguel best would describe him as a thoughtful man, wise and poetic, extraordinarily kind, considerate, and patient, and loving and truly selfless as both a husband and a father.

Miguel loved to read, learn, and teach. Throughout his days, he sought knowledge and understanding of both life and life after death. During his last days, he expressed his conclusions: "He who is saved, knows. He who is not saved, knows nothing."

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"- Romans 10:9, NIV.

He is survived by his wife, Socorro, of 32 years; his three children, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Luz Elena Gonzalez (Jeffrey) Stalnaker, and Luz Isabel Gonzalez; and his three brothers, Benito Diaz Sacristan , Tobias Calvo Gonzalez and Ramon Calvo Gonzalez; and numerous family members and loved ones.

Miguel was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel Gonzalez Fernandez and Elena Calvo Gonzalez and his sister, Josefa Gonzalez Gomez.

On Saturday, August 11, 2007, a funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1815 S. 8th Ave., and a memorial will be held at 4 p.m. at Yuma Community Food Bank's Conference room, 2404 E. 24 th St.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Food For The Poor, Inc., www.foodforthepoor.org, 800-427-9104.