Jose Felix Golding Delfin

In Loving Memory of Jose Delfin

November 20, 1960 – February 19, 2026

Jose Delfin, 65, of Salem, Oregon, passed away of natural causes at his home on February 19, 2026.

He was born in Manila, Philippines, on November 20, 1960, to Victoria and Jes Delfin. At the age of six, the family moved from the Philippines to Chicago, beginning his lifelong path as an explorer and scholar.

An avid learner, Jose was deeply committed to the power of education. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from the University of Maryland and continued his pursuit of knowledge at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in School Leadership. He later furthered his studies, obtaining an Executive Leadership Doctorate (EdD) in 2012, after nearly a decade of researching virtual learning. Throughout his career, Jose was dedicated to nurturing leaders within schools and organizations, seeking to empower those around him.

Jose’s personal journey was just as vibrant as his professional one. In his 20s, he fell in love with the American West, feeling a strong pull to leave Washington D.C. for the open deserts of Nevada. He and his then-wife, Andrea, moved to Las Vegas in 1991, where they later welcomed their children, Faith and David. In 2007, the family relocated to Northern Nevada, where Jose served as Principal of Dayton High School and later as Associate Superintendent of the Carson City School District.

In 2022, Jose took a leadership role in the Los Alamos, New Mexico school district, fulfilling a lifelong dream of living in the state. He landed in Oregon after accepting a role at a school district in Portland before joining the private sector as the Director of Human Resources at Mosaic Management in Salem, Oregon. He truly loved the Salem community and found great fulfillment in his role at Mosaic Management.

A man of many passions, Jose loved capturing the beauty of the world through his photography. He was a road cyclist, a lover of movies and music, and a steadfast fan of the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco 49ers. Above all else, Jose was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving father who found his greatest joy in the lives and accomplishments of his children.

Jose is survived by his children, Faith and David; his parents, Victoria and Jes; and his siblings, Jake, Rina, and Valerie.

Services to celebrate Jose’s life will be held at a later date.