Michael Raoul Bonoan joined our Heavenly Father on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Doctor's Hospital, with the love of his life, Mary Jayne, by his side.

Michael was born on September 26, 1954, in Osaka, Japan to Valentino R. Bonoan & Maria G. Bonoan. His father was stationed in Japan during a tour of duty in the Korean War.

Returning from Japan, they resided in San Antonio. Mike attended several Catholic schools, including St. Patrick's, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Benedict's Elementary School. He is an alumnus of the Class of 1972 at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio. He received his diploma; however, he did not graduate because at the young age of 17, with his parents' consent, decided to enlist in the United States Army and left for basic training. His tour of duty was mostly in Germany, with assignments in Austria, with an occupation in the field of communications. Upon his discharge, he attended St. Philip's College in San Antonio and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves.  In 1980, he again enlisted for active duty, but now with the U.S. Air Force.  He was stationed in Germany, California, and (Austin) Texas. While in the Air Force, Mike worked with electronics and instrument panels of fighter jets, until his discharge in 1986. He had a hunger for learning new things, and during his tenure in both branches of the military, he obtained numerous certifications in his field of work. "Bonz" (Bones), a nickname he acquired in the military due to his thin body structure, proudly served his country well.

In 1987, Mike moved to Zapata to work in the oil field industry for a short period. In 1989, he met his wife Mary Jayne, and married her a year later. He later sought employment with Zapata County at the Zapata County Waterworks & Wastewater Department as a treatment operator, from which he retired in 2022, after almost 24 years of service. During his employment, Mike managed time to attend Laredo Community College, obtaining 4 different degrees in computer science. His hunger for knowledge was, clearly, never satisfied.

On his spare time, Mike loved watching movies and listening to classic rock music. Mike loved all kinds of movies, from action, to comedy, to horror. A bucket of popcorn and a cold soda was all he needed to enjoy any flick of any kind, usually with Mary Jayne by his side. When visiting his brother-in-law, Lee, in San Antonio, they sported large jackets with many pockets, sneaking in tacos and burgers into the theater, to make their movie-watching experience worth their while. But nobody ever needs to know that. When it came to the art of music, Mike had an infectious love for rock. Favorite bands included, but not limited to, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, & Judas Priest. Throughout his life, he was able to watch some of these acts live and in concert, including Stevie Ray Vaughan in Austin, and Judas Priest on a couple of occasions in San Antonio. His love for music was contagious and managed to spread that contagion to Lee. Together, not only did Lee learn the likes of such groups like The Who, Blind Faith, and Rainbow, but Lee was also teaching Mike about new groups like Candlebox, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, TOOL, and many others, some of whom they watched together live in concert in San Antonio. They not only shared a common love but forged a forever bond in the indescribable art of music, which Mike always considered, "the ultimate" in life.

Mike struck up conversations with anyone, whether he knew them or not, making friends seamlessly. He found joy in helping others, constantly giving the shirt off his back, expecting nothing in return. This was the measure of the man. The demise of this kind soul is heartbreaking to all who knew and loved him. While no longer physically here, Michael will live forever.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Valentino Rojas Bonoan and Maria Guillermina Treviño de Bonoan, brother and sister-in-law, Charles V. & Frances Bonoan, and father-in-law, Leonel Guadalupe Villarreal.

Cherishing his memory, he leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan, mother-in-law, Consuelo Ramirez-Villarreal, brother-in-law, Leonel Gerardo "Lee" Villarreal (Melissa A. Arredondo) and their children, Aiden and Giovanni, nieces and nephews, Toni Bonoan, Christopher Bonoan (Kathy), Donalyn Vaquera (Gonzalo), Lisa Bonoan-Aguilar (Anthony), Krystal & Kimberly Bonoan. He will be deeply missed by his cousin, whom he loved as a brother, Philip (Martha) Frost, their children & grandchildren; his former supervisor and best friend, who were inseparable, Eloy (Teresa) Chapa, their children & grandchildren.

Rest easy, soldier. Go in peace.

A chapel service will be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 11:00A.M. – 2:00P.M., with a rosary at 12:30P.M. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

A full military funeral service will take place on a later date in San Antonio, TX, with a mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and burial at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery (Date is pending).

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.