Joseph Talaugon Obituary

Joseph R. Talaugon

1930 - 2024

Joseph R. Talaugon, 93 years old, passed away on Sunday September 1, 2024, comfortably at home. Born on October 1, 1930 in Guadalupe, California, the eldest of 6 and was preceded in death by his wife Margie (Cabatuan) Talaugon, his Mother Margaret Cuevas and his Father Arcadio Talaugon, his brothers Joseph (Bud) Talaugon, Saint Talaugon and his sister Florence Talaugon.

Born and raised in Guadalupe, he was always so proud of the town he lived in that it gave him the drive to be better and to do better for his family and for others. He graduated from Santa Maria High School and was proud to be on the Santa Maria Saint's football team He did a year at Alan Hancock College but definitely enjoyed the game. He coached baseball back in the day and those today who remember him back then continue to share those great stories of playing sports in Guadalupe. He and my Mom settled in with their children in their town and had an opportunity given to them to run their own restaurant, Margie & Joe's Cafe serving their specialties in Filipino food, which connected the Filipino community for a place to gather and socialize over a home-cooked meal. Then came the Korean War, my Dad served in the Army for 3 years and came home and pursued his career in the Sheet Metal Trade for 25 years. There was never one day that my Dad wasn't building or creating another project around the house or out fixing someone else's home. Then found a passion in printing, as we would call today a Graphic Artist. With an AB Dick printer, he was out back in his printshop, creating and sharing someone's story, more often our own family stories. There are remnants of those print jobs still around, books he created with poetry and pictures. He and my Mom even printed the "Guadalupe Reporter" when they made their way back to Guadalupe. Their printshop was operating out of the Druids Hall above Johnny Perry's Napa Auto Part store. Another adventure just to keep both involved and driven to share the stories.

The latter part of their lives was digging deep into their communities, issues that they stood behind, empowering others to have a voice. Providing guidance in navigating through the negligence of this society, taking the bull by its horns. Making their mark on this planet for the good of the people, giving space that allowed people to come together for a solution. So, the past 45 years back in the Santa Maria Valley, and eventually settled back home in Guadalupe. My Dad served on City Council, was Co-Founder of the Guadalupe Sports Hall of Fame, sat on several boards in the Santa Maria Valley, the GI Forum, the Betterment of Santa Maria Valley, Filipino American National Historical Society of the Central Coast, Fil-AM, and even opened another version of Margie & Joe's Cafe. He gives honor to those who serve and have served in the armed forces and has dedicated a memorial wall that will stand on the property of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center. Which is a place that my Mom and Dad created, that space we often need to gather as a community. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center was their destination, a place that is truly a reflection of their findings, their adventures and most importantly their resourcefulness in acknowledging the cultural concepts of the human race. My Dad was driven to find out more about his heritage and the traditions of the people of this region before the devastation that took place that nearly stripped the people of their beliefs. His research is just a tidbit of science, Indigenous Science that will allow the people of this region to tell the truth and that the Chumash people were not just hunters and gathers. There is evidence from our scientists and astronomers, who left their proof through their paintings and carvings all across this region. He's left his research to those who have an interest in our tribal community, and his contribution is just an open book. He has had many conversations about his findings that were only told by the sun, which can only be the truth.

His never-ending love, of course for his wife Margie who inspired him and encouraged him, a 67-year marriage that was filled with family, friends, and community. Driven by society to help one another through the good, bad, and the ugly, but ALWAYS a vision for the future. Then his love for his restored 38 Chevy, that brought those fond memories of taking off and getting married. He came upon a 38 Chevy that had been sitting in Lucky Almaguer's garage for 40 years, so when Tony Almaguer let Dad know, he was quick to get his hands on it, ironically the same car that inspired him when he was 19 years old.

Dad and Mom will forever be loved by their children, Judith Talaugon, Joni Dee (Hall), Kristina Talaugon-Rivera, Karen Evangelista (Mario), Joseph R. Talaugon II, Andrea Van Koughnet, Manuel Talaugon (Maris), 16 Grand-children, 22 Great Grand-children and 1 Great Great Grand-child. Dad's brother Morry Talaugon and his sister Donna Nunez and my Mom's brother Victor Cabatuan (Vickie) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Please join us in celebrating his life

Thursday October 3, 2024

Dudley Hoffman Mortuary

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday October 4, 2024

Guadalupe Cemetery

11:30 a.m.

Friday October 4, 2024

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts & Education Center

1055 Guadalupe Street

(The Big Red Barn)

1:00 p.m.

Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.