Rafael Castellanos Madrigal at age 86, passed away May 16, 2026, and is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, María del Refugio Zavala Madrigal; his five children, Idalia, Marie, Rafael, Rodolfo, and Christine; and eleven cherished grandchildren. Born to María de Jesús Castellanos and Juan Madrigal in a pueblo: Tototlán, Jalisco.

In Rafael’s younger years he lived with his grandfather until the age of sixteen, then moved to live with an aunt in Mexico City and would later move to Mexicali with a great-aunt. These major life events shaped his passion for learning, adventure, and family. It was through his experiences in the country’s largest metropolitan areas that he found himself and longed for his next dream: María.

Mexico sparked a lifelong curiosity about the world, yet, after some time in Mexicali he felt called to return home. Family had played a large roll early in life and as he ventured into the world, he knew his heart truly belonged with a place like central Mexico. Central Mexico flourished with traditions, strong family ties, and beautiful climate. In search of belonging, he returned home where he met and married María, the love of his life. Together, they soon settled in Guadalajara, where Rafael began laying the foundation for their future together.

Rafael was a jack of all traits: he joined the Guadalajara Police Department, then followed his older brother’s advice and became a taxi driver. Dreaming of one day owning his own transportation company, he searched for opportunities that would allow him to save enough money to make that dream a reality. The United States held promise of plentiful work and with the encouragement of his in-laws, the possibility of building a stronger financial future seemed within reach. Leading him to his next great adventure of leaving the country and relocating to California. His plan was straightforward: work hard, save money, purchase a vehicle, and return to Guadalajara to start his own business.

Life, however, had different plans.

Rafael’s intentions were to return to Mexico financially stable and ready to support a family that would one day come. However, after arriving in California, new opportunities emerged and his children were born. When it came time to decide to return home it was the 1980’s, a time when Mexico experienced severe economic instability and inflation. Trusted family members encouraged him to remain where opportunity and stability were greater. What was intended to be a temporary stay gradually became a permanent home. The roots he had hesitantly begun to plant in California during the 1960s grew deeper with each passing year.

Over time, Rafael's dream evolved. Rather than returning home to build a transportation company, he dedicated himself to creating opportunities for his children that he had never imagined for himself. He spent 26 years with United Airlines, advancing through a variety of positions until becoming a Warehouse Supplies Lead. His enthusiasm, ingenuity, and leadership earned him the company's highest nationwide recognition for streamlining the distribution of supplies for aircraft arriving in San Francisco, an achievement that saved the company more than $3 million annually.

Rafael's relentless work ethic, unwavering devotion to his family, deep faith, positive outlook on life, and ability to provide strength and stability during difficult times, served as an inspiration to all who knew him. Rafael was a deep thinker, a wonderer with a yearning to know what and who was around him, a man that was so dependable yet free-spirited. With his characteristic humor, he often joked that he would one day become a "California skeleton." Beneath the laughter, was an acknowledgment that California had truly become home. Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and everyone fortunate enough to cross his path treasured his warmth, generosity, sense of humor, and thoughtful advice.

His life stands as a testament to the power of hard work, devotion, and the enduring bonds of family. His greatest pride was always his family. Rafael encouraged his children to pursue higher education, earn advanced degrees, follow their own dreams, and make the most of every opportunity placed before them. To live “La Dolce Vita”. Few things brought him more joy than watching his children grow into successful adults, marrying wonderful spouses, and building loving families of their own. The milestones of his growing family, the ones he sacrificed to make a possibility, were amongst his greatest blessings to witness.

Rafael leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, sacrifice, faith, and love; a legacy that will continue to live on in the family he treasured above all else.