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He went to the Cleveland School in Chandler, while his other siblings went to Goodyear School. There were not many Mexican students at Cleveland School at that time; most went to school at Winn School, Goodyear School, or to St. Mary’s School after 1942. Philip then went to Chandler High School and graduated in 1947. In school Philip played football for a few years and baseball for one year. After high school Philip worked at a number of agricultural jobs including baling hay, picking cotton and driving a truck for the Bogle Farms. He also worked at Capitol Casting foundry for 31 years. He started as a laborer and ended his career as an inspector. Philip also has been involved in Chandler’s political arena, serving on the City Council from 1972 to 1979. He was appointed after the death of former councilman and boxing star Zora Folley. Philip married Ruth Mendoza in 1950. Born in 1930, Ruth had known Philip since childhood. Ruth began working as a teacher’s aide at Denver School (now San Marcos Elementary) in 1968. Philip and Ruth have four children, Anna, Sally, Patsy, and Katie, and eleven grandchildren. The Duenas family has lived on east Buffalo Street since 1973. Sadly, Ruth passed away in 1996. Philip has many special memories in Chandler.
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