Emilano Jesmundo Magallanes

Emilano Jesmundo Magallanes Obituary
10/18/55 - 12/08/25


We are sad to announce the death of Emil Magallanes. Emil died in his beloved home in Boise, ID on December 8, 2025.

Emil was born in Watsonville, CA on Oct 18, 1955 to his mom Patricia and his dad Emil, Sr. He grew up with 3 brothers, Danny, Mark and Jeff, in Seaside, CA on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. He enjoyed surfing, fishing, golfing and his passion - running, while growing up there.

Emil’s love for running took him to Monterey Peninsula Junior College and eventually to Boise State University where he set school records in the 3000m steeplechase at both institutions. He had many beloved friends who shared his love of training and racing from MPC, BSU, the Aggie Running club out of Northern CA and the Rig Track Club and later the Boise River Running Club that he helped to found in Boise, ID. Emil’s competitive years were epic and he enjoyed many victories along the way in track and field, road racing and marathon racing. He was particularly proud of his marathon performances at the Boston Marathon in his younger years but also as a master’s runner in his 50’s. Along with running, he was a very good coach at the high school and college level. He was able to pass on his knowledge of training at Seaside High school and at BSU. He also had success with coaching his wife post-collegiately, maybe one of his most difficult endeavors. Finally, after he was no longer able to run like he wanted to, he volunteered his time as an official for high school and college track and field.

Another love of Emil’s was wild-land firefighting. He had a long, successful career that took him from a seasonal hot shot crew member to an elite smokejumper. He progressed to being a rookie trainer for the smokejumper organization, taking his coaching skills to a new level. He worked hard to advance to dispatch and wild-land fire management at NIFC to finish out his career with the BLM. He has many “brother’s” from the fire-fighting community who he dearly loved and who gave him so much support throughout his life.

His greatest love of all, was by far, his only son, Kai. Emil enjoyed being a father to Kai and spent the last several years of his life doting on Kai and feeling very proud of all of Kai’s achievements.

In order to fully celebrate Emil and his wonderful life and accomplishments,his family is throwing a celebration of life party in Boise, ID on May, 17, 2026 at Julia Davis Park Agricultural Pavilion from 12:00 to 4:00. This celebration will be a Hawaiian theme, so wear your Hawaiian shirts and get ready to laugh and remember all of the good times you shared with Emil. Please RSVP to Christine @ (208)761-5409 or Jeff @ (831)917-7421.