MICHAEL WILBURN LOMBARDI

Michael W. Lombardi, 74, of Cherry Valley, California, passed away Thursday, March 9th, 2023, peacefully at home with his wife, Juanita Holmes-Lombardi and his daughter, Dominique Lombardi at his side. Michael was born on January 21st , 1949 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Nicklo A. Lombardi and Patricia Ruth Harp-Lombardi. Michael grew up in Long Beach, California where he attended Millikan High School. After graduation, he completed his undergraduate work at Long Beach City College before attending California State University at Berkley. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1972 and returned to Long Beach, California, where he began counseling at-risk youth. In 1991, on his birthday, he married the love of his life, Juanita Ann Holmes, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their daughter, Dominique Angelica Lombardi, was born on January 17, 1993. Michael began working in the field of Indian Gaming in Riverside County and eventually opened a consulting business, working with Indian tribes across the United States as they began to establish their casino businesses. He was a spokesman for Indian gaming across the US, helping to develop the gaming industry.Michael Lombardi is the former manager of Casino Morongo and the Chumash Casino, two of California's most successful Indian Casinos. He has served as the Chairman of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians Gaming Commission for 10 years. Lombardi had written and spoken extensively on tribal government issues and Indian Gaming throughout the United States. Over the past 22 years Lombardi has worked for 14 Federally recognized tribes in 6 states. He served for two years as a gaming inspector for the Creek Nation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served as a delegate for the Augustine Band to the California online Poker Association (COPA), Tribal LLC. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the California Indian Museum and Culture Center. He was the Vice Chairman of the American Indian Alaskan Native Veterans Memorial Committee. In February 2012 Lombardi was awarded the California Nations Indian Gaming Association Pauline Murillo Industry Leadership Award. He was an avid reader and loved history, politics, art, sports, culture, travel and his many pets. Of all of Michael's many accolades and achievements, his great treasure was the family and home he built with Juanita and Dominique. Michael was well-known and loved by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his parents. Surviving members of his immediate family include his wife and daughter, Juanita and Dominique, and one brother, Patrick Lombardi, three sisters, Sandi Kostka, Rebecca Reid and Nicky Price. A memorial service has been set for April 2nd at the Morongo Community Center, 13000 Malki Rd, Banning, CA at 3pm

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