In Memory of Deacon Michael A. Avila

Deacon Mike was born and received all his Sacraments in Hanford Ca. June 4, 1947. He graduated from Porterville High school in 1965 where he was an outstanding athlete in both football and wrestling. Then went on to Porterville college where he was also outstanding in both football and wrestling. He was offered a full ride scholarship to attend college in Oregon where he majored in diesel technology. It was through with his first year of College at OTI when Uncle Sam came calling and Mike decided to join the Navy. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam with West-Pac, and it was during this time he met and married to the love of his life Dr. Pamela Avila, DNP, FNP, RN, MSN/Ed. They have two children, their daughter, Michele Avila-Emerson, CCPNP, RN (who passed away 2010) and their son, Ryan Avila who is a Battalion Chief with Cal-Fire. Ryan has 3 children Madison, Tyler and Trinity and they also have one Great granddaughter Hayleigh who is Madison’s. Deacon was always proud to say he had 32 years of sobriety through AA. One day Bill Woodmansee dropped off a phone number for Promise Keepers, well Mike called and from that day on you could see Mike with his Suburban full of men off to the next Promise Keepers Event. Well, his conversion of heart began and God just continued to mold him because he was willing.

Deacon Mike had quite a journey in the call to the Deaconate. In the beginning he was sitting towards the back of the church during Deacon Jim’s ordination and cried through most of it and Pam was in the choir singing. When they left the church to attend Deacon Jim’s reception, he told Pam he had a feeling God was calling him to the deaconate and she said she had experienced the same thought. Well once they arrived at the reception Deacon Jim introduced him to one of his fellow Deacons, Deacon Ted and once he shook his hand, looked him straight in the eyes and asked him if he’d ever thought of becoming a deacon. He applied at the Dioceses and began the process; this included a discernment retreat where he realized he had heard this voice before when he was about 9 years old. Unfortunately, there was no one to support him at that time. He always felt he was a prime example that God continues to call we just need to listen. I am glad to say he was ordained January 15, 2011.

He enjoyed being assigned the Chaplaincy to the Porterville Developmental Center and was there during the conversion to a court ordered holding for clients who could not stand trial for a multitude of reasons. He and his wife, Pam were also very dedicated to the Vocation of Marriage and worked with many couples in helping them understand and place into practice their God given vocation. He also had a great devotion to prayer and our Blessed Mother; He was known to quietly set through many a surgery for people just simply praying for them, then returning home and he always had intentions ongoing for others. He loved going on sick calls and praying for the person so they could feel God’s presence and peace any time day or night.

Deacon Mike was just a quiet presence wherever he was. He sadly passed away August 31, 2021, following a short illness just after renewing his Wedding vows for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Please always remember to pray a rosary for Deacon Mike and for all the souls of the faithful departed.