Jesus Martinez Avila Jr.

Jesus M. Avila Jr., a longtime resident of Colorado Springs entered into eternal rest on October 21, 2016 at the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs with his family by his side. He was 90 years young and left a legacy of love with every member of his family, friends, and church community.

Jess was born on May 1, 1926 to Jesus Avila and Angela Avila of Los Angeles, California. He enlisted at 17 to join the U.S. Army in 1944 where he served in the Pacific theater during WWII. He was in the battle of Luzon, and served in Robal, New Britain. He went on to fight in New Guinea and then served with the occupation forces in Japan. In 1949 he joined the newly formed Air Force as a Sergeant and retired from the Air Force in 1965. He continued serving his country as a civil servant for the US Air Force where he retired in 1990.

Jess was a founding member of the St. Joseph’s Parish where he worked tirelessly serving his church in many capacities. He volunteered time to coaching Old Timers Youth Baseball for many years and served as an interpreter at Social Services for El Paso County.

Jess was always a loving Husband and Father. Jess was a sweet, gentle and humble man. He has left us all knowing what true love really means by his example of lifelong selfless giving to his family and friends. He was known lovingly as “Tata” by so many more than those in his own family. He is survived by his four children Rebecca, Rita (Alan), Michael (Juanita), and Robert (Darci). Grandchildren, Aubrey (Chad), Adam, Timothy, Teresa (Benjamin), Christopher (Becky), Phillip, Jennifer, Jessica (Jonathan), R.J., and Andres, and great grandchildren Sophia, Sicilia, Santino, Cameron, Elias, Liam, Marley, Avianna and Owen.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 28, 2016, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Swan-Law Funeral Directors, followed with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1830 S. Corona Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado. Burial will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given in Jess’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1830 S. Corona Ave. Colorado Springs 80905.