Birth date: Mar 19, 1995 Death date: Feb 23, 2026
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of José Manuel Ayala, a man whose joy, kindness, and easygoing spirit left an unforgettable mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. José Manuel was a genuine person, always with Read Obituary
Happy Heavenly Birthday Mijo! It's hard to live in a world without you in it! You live in my heart and soul! I know the heavens are rejoicing today and we will celebrate you in our own special way!
"Go pac's go"!!! I love you Mijo! 🫶🙏❤️🤗🎁🎉🎂🥳
Mi primer recuerdo de José se remonta a nuestros días en la secundaria. Incluso entonces, lo recuerdo como una persona increíble, amable y genuinamente feliz; alguien que tuvo la amabilidad de llamarme su amigo. Después de dejar Winton, José asistió a la preparatoria Tennyson mientras yo iba a Mt. Eden, pero eso nunca nos impidió mantenernos en contacto.
Con el paso de los años, nos graduamos de la preparatoria y ambos terminamos asistiendo a Chabot College. Recuerdo haber estudiado astronomía con José. Algunos días llegábamos tarde y pasábamos el tiempo mirando el cielo, trazando constelaciones y hablando de nuestro futuro, de cómo algún día nos convertiríamos en los hombres que soñábamos ser. Empollones, exitosos, con hermosas esposas y suficiente dinero para mantenernos felices a nosotros mismos y a nuestras familias. Fue por esa época que José cumplió uno de sus sueños y se compró el Camaro que tanto había deseado.
Con el tiempo, nuestras vidas adultas nos llevaron por caminos diferentes. Sin importar adónde nos llevara la vida, José siempre tenía tiempo para estar en contacto. Hablábamos de las últimas películas, de nuestros amores y de cualquier otra cosa que dos amigos pudieran hablar. José ha estado en mi vida más tiempo que casi cualquier otra amistad, y su ausencia me ha afectado muchísimo.
Sé que algún día nos volveremos a encontrar. Cuando llegue ese momento, espero ponerte al día con todas las películas de Marvel que te has perdido y con cómo los Green Bay Packers aún no han ganado otro Super Bowl. Hasta entonces, por favor, sigue cuidándome como siempre lo has hecho.
Un amigo al que tuve el privilegio de llamar mi hermano.
My earliest memory of Jose goes back to our days in middle school. Even then, I remember Jose as an amazing, kind-spirited, and genuinely happy person—someone who was kind enough to call me his friend. After leaving Winton, Jose went on to attend Tennyson High School while I went to Mt. Eden, but that never stopped us from staying in touch.
As the years passed, we graduated high school and both ended up attending Chabot College. I remember taking astronomy with Jose. Some days we would arrive late and spend time looking up at the sky, plotting constellations and talking about our future—about how one day we would become the men we dreamed of being. Nerds, successful, with beautiful wives and enough money to keep ourselves and our families happy. It was around this time that Jose fulfilled one of his dreams and bought the Camaro he had wanted for so long.
As time went on, our adult lives took us down different paths. No matter where life led us, Jose always made time to check in. We would talk about the latest movies, our crushes, and anything else two friends might talk about. Jose has been in my life longer than almost any other friendship, and his absence has truly affected me.
I know that one day we will meet again. When that time comes, I hope to catch you up on all the Marvel movies you’ve missed—and how the Green Bay Packers still haven’t won another Super Bowl. Until then, please keep looking out for me the way you always have.
A friend I was lucky enough to call my brother
My deepest heart felt condolences for the Ayala family. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jose (my nephew) since he was born. I have so many fond memories, I wouldn't know where to begin.
I remember how much he loved eating fruit as a snack. He would sit on top of the counter near his mom eating a piece of melon. As a little boy I remember and will never forget his laughter, he was always happy. Always tinkering with his toys, running around playing pretend with his brother and cousins. They enjoyed playing power rangers and would run through my kitchen pretending I was the the bad guy they would shoot me with their pretend lasers. One time he ran back and gave me a hug and said "it's ok you're ok it was just pretend" and ran out. I remember getting a phone call from him , he wanted to share with me that he graduated highschool and was going to attend East Bay University in Hayward. He was so proud of himself and so was I. He moved away to Stockton/Lodi as a young adult and started working at a winery. He loved his job and he loved his sense of independence. Jose never lost touch of who he was and where he came from. He would always come back home to his family. Jose was thoughtful, caring, compassionate! I will miss him texting me "Happy Mother's Day Tia" and "Happy Birthday Tia"or the occasional text asking how I was doing and letting me know that he was going to visit his parents and wanted me to come over and hangout with him.
The last time I spoke to him, we spoke for over an hour. With a promise that we'd see each other soon. And I know I will! Til then my dear nephew I will forever keep you in my heart. The pain that I feel today will one day give me strength to move on. I love you Mijo!! Mi changuito!
