Mike Castillo Flores

Miguel “Mike” Castillo Flores was born in Fresno, California, on December 30, 1950 to the parents of Senon Roque Flores and Ruby Castillo. He lived in the Westside of Fresno on San Joaquin Avenue. He went to Columbia Elementary then to Washington Union for middle school and finally Edison High School. Later graduated from Fresno City College with an Associates Degree. He believed in everyone attaining higher levels of learning to become the best they could, especially women. His aspiration was to become a history teacher at the college level. Instead, achieved greater success in the field of Law Enforcement; beginning in corrections, to a Fresno County Deputy Sheriff and later a Detective. He took pride in his work and did it for his family’s livelihood.

A decorated Vietnam veteran, he loved his country for the freedoms we have. Although he never boasted nor bragged about his time in the war, he came home with an expert marksmanship medal as well as a combat infantryman badge. He joined his father, mother and brother Sam, who were also veterans.

Mike was no stranger to hardship and hard work, working as a farm laborer in his youth. He believed in justice for people in poverty and his best to help communities in need. After classes at Fresno City College he would go march with the United Farm Workers in the fields.

Family was his joy, vacations were his healing time and his recreation was listening to Oldies but Goodies by the pool with his family. He was very proud of his sons; Miguel achieving his Master’s degree in Art, and Manuel becoming a journeyman as an ironworker. He was proud to be a grandfather and had 3 beautiful grandchildren. We celebrate his life, his honesty, his integrity and his love of family.