Pastor Athos Monteclaro

Athos B. Monteclaro

July 13 - September 9, 2026

Athos B. Monteclaro, age 95, passed away on September 9, 2026, at Southland Care Center in Norwalk,

California.

Athos was born on July 13, in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines, the son of the late Jose and

Anita Baylon Monteclaro.

Athos lived an extraordinary life of service - to his country, his family, and, most importantly, to God.

During the Vietnam War, Athos served the United States government in connection with the Central

Intelligence Agency (CIA). During his service, he was involved in intelligence work and was credited with

helping identify the location of an underground Viet Cong hideout.

In the Philippines, Athos also pursued careers in journalism, government, and law. He worked as a journalist

and served as Press Secretary to Congressman Agustin Gatuslao, whom he affectionately called "Maninoy Tuting," at

the Congress of the Philippines. At the same time, he attended the Philippine Law School, where he earned his

law degree.

Following the proclamation of Martial Law under President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Athos answered another

calling - one that would become an important part of the rest of his life. He became a Reverend and Pastor and

planted Evangelical Christian Baptist Church in Cainta, Rizal.

In 1982, Athos and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Dallas, Texas. There, he worked as

an insurance agent, helping Filipino nurses and other members of the Filipino community obtain life insurance

and prepare for their families' futures.

Although he worked in the insurance industry, Athos longed to return to ministry. He began holding

home-based Bible studies with several Filipino families throughout the Dallas area, continuing his calling to

share his faith and serve others.

After several years in Texas, Athos and his family decided to move closer to his wife Evelyn's family and

relocated to Long Beach, California. There, Athos continued his ministry by starting Love International

Baptist Church in Torrance, California, where he served as pastor.

His ministry extended beyond his own church. Athos worked with the Filipino Southern Baptist Ministries of

Southern California (FSBM), a fellowship of independent Filipino Southern Baptist churches and missions

working together in outreach, discipleship, fellowship, and leadership training.

While pastoring Love International Baptist Church, Athos also served as a Seaman Minister with the Long

Beach Harbor Southern Baptist Association, of which the church was a member. Through this ministry, he

ministered to seamen arriving at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, offering fellowship, encouragement,

prayer, and spiritual guidance to men who were often thousands of miles away from their homes and families.

Athos dedicated much of his life to Christian ministry and to serving the Filipino community both in the

Philippines and the United States. His journey took him from journalism, government service, and law to

pastoral ministry and missionary outreach, touching many lives along the way.

In addition to his parents, Athos was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Evelyn Rose Ureta Monteclaro;

his brothers Eddie Monteclaro, Sr., who worked for the Chicago Sun-Times and also served as editor-in-chief

at the Manila Times in the Philippines, and Enrico "Butch" Monteclaro, who also worked at the Manila

Times; his sisters Griselda "Silda" Monteclaro-Diola and Minerva "Minet" Monteclaro-Edano and Porthos Monteclaro.

Athos is survived by his younger siblings, Maria Fe "Orchid" Monteclaro- Irwin, Josefino Aramis Monteclaro, D'Artagnan Monteclaro, and Vida Linda Monteclaro-Junsay.

He is also survived by his daughter, Aurie Anne Monteclaro-Francisco and her husband, Joel Francisco, of

Azusa, California; his son, Alan Jae Monteclaro and his wife, Levinia Monteclaro, of Cerritos, California;

his grandsons Grant Justis Francisco, Lelan Monteclaro, Jaevin Monteclaro, and Evan Monteclaro;

step-grandsons Sigmund Francisco and Martin Francisco; six step-grandchildren; two

great-step-grandchildren; and many other relatives, friends, church members, and people whose lives were

touched by his ministry and friendship.

A viewing and celebration of Athos' exceptional life will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 12:00

p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Memorial Service from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Forest Lawn Long Beach,

Mission Room, 4883 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, California.

We invite all who knew and loved Athos to join us in honoring his memory, celebrating his remarkable life, and

giving thanks for the faith, love, and service he shared with so many.

His life was one of service. His ministry was one of faith. His legacy is one of love.