Miguel Vitela Moran

Miguel (Maique) Moran was born on January 10, 1949, in Pecos, Texas to Ramona Vitela Moran and Manuel Moran. He was second of five children, with siblings Harriet, Juan, Lela and Victor. Maique began work at a very young age, engaging in cotton picking, general farm work, grocery store stocking, and selling ice cream from a cart. He finished Pecos High School in 1967.

Maique made many long-term friends throughout his childhood.  His wit, sense of humor and broad smile preceded his unique laugh.  It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that the first thing people remembered about him was his laugh.

Maique enlisted in the US Navy as a medic and served a tour of duty in Viet Nam assisting the Marines for 13 months. As a Navy medic working with the Marines, he witnessed a lot while assisting soldiers who suffered some of the most extreme battlefield injuries.  Though these traumatic experiences dogged him the rest of his life, Maique always found a way to laugh and to make people feel special. After leaving Viet Nam, he served the remainder of his four years at the Long Beach Naval Hospital.

Earning an honorary discharge, Maique started his employment at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in Los Angeles, when he joined the Transport Workers Union (TWU). He worked his way up, starting as a bus driver.  Fueling his love for trains, he elevated his position to train operator, and then train controller before he retired after 30 years.  As usual, his outgoing personality aided him in creating many lifelong friendships at the MTA.

Maique met Catherine through mutual friends in 1992 and they married in 1994. They lived in Long Beach where they adopted one week old Victoria in 1997.  Later, they moved to Vista, where he lived his final years.

Maique loved travel, maps, cars, and Mexican food. In conversations with him, you couldn’t mention a city in the United States where he didn’t know all about the place, its intersecting highways, and attractions.

Traveling was a passion for Maique.  Together Catherine and Maique enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise and a Spain, Portugal, and Moroccan tour. In addition, they traveled to Australia, Alaska, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. Maique also traveled with a friend to Peru, Brazil, Columbia, and Mexico.

Maique will be remembered for his laugh, smile, wit, and wonderful sense of humor. We will miss him dearly.

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