Micheal Ray Bernal

Micheal Ray Bernal, 79, of Morgan Hill, passed away in Carson City, Nevada on July 24, 2026. He is preceded in passing by his wife, Alma Gay Rush, and his parents, Marshall Bert and Mary Lucy Bernal. He is survived by his children, Marshall (Alyssa) Bernal, Martin Bernal, Amber Coleman Hartman and their mother, Brenda Bernal; brother, Mark (Nancy) Bernal; grandchildren Breanna Latt, Aiden Hartman, Alessandro Bernal, Joseph Bernal, Luciana Bernal; nephew, Brian ( Leslie) Swift Bernal; niece, Angella Bernal ( Alissa Mahoney); and great-niece, Amelia Bernal.

Micheal spent most of his life in Morgan Hill and had an extensive career in law enforcement. He was employed as police officer for Hollister and Morgan Hill police departments. He served 30 years as a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff from 1970 to 2000 and retired as Commander.

Micheal was a self-taught mechanic and had a collection of assorted cars, trucks and hay-making equipment. He enjoyed maintaining and working on all of his vehicles. As well as being an avid reader, Micheal enjoyed classic black and white movies, old time rock and roll music, and was a fan of cowboy westerns and Clint Eastwood movies.

Micheal was a quiet individual and always an interested observer. He was a member of the Gilroy Elks Lodge and was instrumental in organizing and preparing food for their monthly rib night dinners. His friendships were life-long. He was a loving caregiver to his mother, Mary, and wife, Alma Gay. He had a memorable laugh and a dry sense of humor. He spelled his first name M I C H E A L. It was often corrected incorrectly on certificates of achievement, plaques and Social Security correspondence. It seems he grew accustomed to that happening and some people just called him Mike.

Micheal is respected and loved by his family and friends. Using his mother's words, he will always be "deeply loved and sorely missed".

A funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Morgan Hill on Thursday, September 17, at 10 am. A celebration of life will be held on a separate day, September 19 at his beloved ranch in Morgan Hill. Those planning to attend the celebration of life, please contact the family for further details. Mark Bernal mdbbernal@gmail.com, or text 408 607-2387.

Published in Morgan Hill Times · August 26, 2026