Menifee mourns death of community leader Mike Castillejos

Members of Menifee city government, the business community and charitable organizations are mourning the loss of longtime resident Mike Castillejos, who died suddenly Sunday at age 61.

Castillejos passed away from complications of pneumonia with family by his side at Menifee Valley Medical Center in the early hours of Sunday. By mid-morning, social media was flooded with expressions of shock and sympathy from the many who knew and loved him.

"I told him he was Mr. Menifee," wrote Vicki Carpenter, president of the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, on the Facebook page of Darci Castillejos, Mike's wife of 34 years. "He was so giving, selfless, and a gentle soul to his family, friends and community. There is a HUGE hole left in all of us who knew him and in our community."

Castillejos was involved in many organizations in Menifee and always greeted those around him with a warm smile. He was passionate about the American Cancer Society Menifee Relay for Life, for which he served on the organization committee for the past 10 years, including as chairman. He had been a member of the Rotary Club of Menifee since 2001 and served as president in 2007-07.

In addition, Castillejos served as board member with the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, including serving as president. He was the Chamber of Commerce "Citizen of the Year" twice. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 7846 and was Grand Knight for two years. He devoted time to the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard and Menifee Santa's Workshop as well.

Expressions of sympathy posted on Darci Castillejos' Facebook page included messages from California Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington and State Senator Jeff Stone.

"Mike is an inspiration to all with his selfless giving of himself to many organizations in the Menifee community," reads a post from the Rotary Club on the Facebook page 'In Memory of Mike Castillejos'. "Mike exemplified the motto 'Service Above Self' ... All of us who consider ourselves part of Mike's extended Menifee family are poorer for his loss."

"Heartbroken," wrote Brian Walker, another prominent Menifee businessman. "My friend and mentor passed this morning. I don't know what to say. He was the person I hoped to be, always giving, always thinking of others. Just a year past his retirement, with many golf games ahead of him. He must have been needed in heaven more than here."

Castillejos was born Feb. 11, 1956 in Los Angeles. He graduated from Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School and attended Cal State Long Beach. He married Darci Dee Marshall on Aug. 20, 1983 at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Los Alamitos.

A bank president in Menifee for years until his retirement last year, Castillejos is described on the memorial Facebook page as "fun loving and full of life. He was an avid sports fan, especially for the Chargers, Dodgers and Kings, and enjoyed playing golf and listening to music."

In addition to his wife Darci, Castillejos is survived by his children, Nicole and Richard; granddaughter Alyssa; his mother, Sheila Castillejos; and his sister, Aida Sarah (John) and nephew Anthony.

Funeral services are pending. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay Menifee Relay for Life, the Rotary Cub of Menifee or the Knights of Columbus 7846.

Menifee 24/7 will honor Mike Castillejos posthumously as part of our new "Hometown Heroes" program. If you knew Mike and would like to contribute a comment about him to be included in our article, send a private message to our Facebook page or email menifee247info@gmail.com.