Jesse Valencia

On December 22, 2006, we lost a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, teacher and helping hand to all, exactly one-month shy of his 75th birthday. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gil and Lucia Valencia and brothers Henry, Robert and Ernest. Survived by wife of 51 years, Elisa; son, Arturo C., his wife Rosemary and their daughters Elena and Rebecca; son, David W., Tillie; son, Gil J. and his son Victor and daughter Elisa; grandson, Josh; sister, Lidia Arista from Duncanville; sister, Mary Palomo from Channelview; close personal friends of the family, Irene and Diane; numerous loving nieces and nephews. Upon graduating from N. R. Crozier Technical High School in 1951, Jesse proudly served in the U.S. Army and subsequently served in Korea. On January 9, 1955, he married Elisa Cantu. In 1961, Jesse and his family settled in Mesquite where he lived for the remainder of his life. There, he became involved in the community as a member of the civic group, The Jaycees, as a coach in the local youth baseball program, was very involved in Punt, Pass and Kick, even persuading professional athletes to come out and meet the kids. The kind of father who actively participated in his sons' sporting events became the kind of grandfather who was present at every drill team performance, T-ball game, orchestra and band concert and soccer game his grandkids were involved in. Retirement found him enjoying many of his hobbies. He was always tinkering around with machinery, even fixing neighbors' and friends' appliances for little or no money. An avid football fan, he loved having his family at the house cheering for the Cowboys and he took great pride in working in his yard. But among all his pastimes, golf was his favorite. He got out on the course as often as he could playing with an old buddy from his days at Sears, a beloved high school friend and his brothers-in law, but his absolute favorite group of men to play with were his sons. In Jesse's last months, his sister-in-law, Trini Torres organized what the family affectionately called, "Wednesdays with Jesse" where they enjoyed a home cooked dinner and watched DANCING WITH THE STARS, one of his favorite television shows. Jesse Vincent Valencia will be greatly missed and his memory will be cherished by all that encountered him.