Miguel A. Loya

Miguel Loya Duran was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on August 11, 1926. His father, Miguel Loya Pacheco, was a cattle rancher from Valle de Balleza, Chihuahua who migrated north to Samalayuca fleeing the Mexican Revolution. Pacheco was widowed at a young age leaving him with five children. His son, Miguel, was raised by his grandmother and Tia Luz. Miguel Loya dropped out of school after the sixth grade to help with the family ranch, but he aspired to be in the country that could offer more for his future. Eventually he moved to the United States and lived with his uncle Faustino who owned a ranch in Vado, New Mexico. He worked the ranch for a short time then set out for California to live with other relatives. He so admired the country that was now his home that he wanted to contribute towards its effort in WWII by joining the military, but he was too young. Instead he accepted a job as a boilermaker refurbishing Russian supply ships. To support the military effort he mobilized the "braceros" or Mexican migrant workers on blood drives for the Red Cross. By the time Miguel was old enough to join the Army, the war ended. He moved back to Cd. Juarez and joined Farah Mfg. in El Paso where he worked for over forty years. He met Anita Mochen, his wife to be, when he and his friends sponsored her as the ambassador from Juarez for the Spring Festival beauty pageant. Five years later Miguel and Anita were married. They lived in Cd. Juarez until 1968. Wanting better opportunities for their children, they moved to El Paso with five children and one on the way. They raised their children by instilling in them love of their country, to always be respectful, and the importance of an education and family unity. Miguel always reminded his children that: Things of value require effort. "Lo que vale cuesta, Lo que no vale no cuesta." On Saturday evening May 18th, 2013, Miguel Loya Duran joined his beautiful wife, Anita Mochen, who predeceased him.

He is survived by seven children and their spouses: Miguel Loya, Fernando and Rebecca Loya, John and Anna Skelton, Jack and Irma Tuder, Raul and Ana Loya, Javier and Lucinda Loya, Mario and Jennifer Loya, and sixteen grandchildren, Michael Loya, Paul Loya, Daniela Loya, Audrey Loya, Aryn Loya, John Skelton, Stephen Skelton, Sarah Skelton, Eric Tuder, Andrew Tuder, Sofia Loya, Ana Luca Loya, Elena Loya, Andrew Loya, Michael Loya, and Allison Loya.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Romana Quezada Lopez and Margarita Chavez for the loving care they provided during the later years.

Before his passing Miguel left these words:

Agradece el cariño y respeto que le dieron en vida y piden que el Dios todopoderoso le dé el descanso eterno. "Tal vez llore, tal vez reí, tal vez gane o tal vez perdí. Ahora sé que fui feliz, que si llore también ame, pude seguir hasta el final -- a mi manera." Me dio risa y me dio llanto. Gracias a la vida que me dio tanto.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1050 N. Clark. El Paso, Texas 79905. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to a charity of your choice related to education.