Jalen M Rosales

Jalen Mark Rosales was born and raised in Ventura, CA, where he attended Junipero Serra School, Balboa Middle School, and graduated from Buena High in 2012. Jalen attended Ventura Community College receiving his AA degree in Psychology with honors, and then transferring to Cal-State Channel Islands also majoring in Psychology when he was then diagnosed.

After almost a yearlong courageous battle with a very “rare form” of Leukemia/Lymphoma, Jalen was called to be with Jesus far too soon for reasons we will never understand. The bible says that “our ways are not His ways,” and as our Pastor always says “there are somethings we just won’t know, until we get there.” But, we take great comfort in the fact that Jalen was an incredibly caring, selfless, positive, and motivating person who absolutely lit up any room with his infectious smile and loving personality. In his short life Jalen accomplished a lot, and he took great pleasure in encouraging people. Motivating them to get the best out of their life, be appreciative of the little things, and always spread the Love of God to others with just the simple way he lived his life. He also loved to lift people up when they were down, motivate them to achieve their goals and dreams, and he would help in any way he could in a time of need, which was evident in all of the wonderful recent Facebook posts from everyone. Jalen was a believer in Jesus Christ, who attended Youth Group throughout his middle and high school years, and was a part of many youth events and camps growing up, always inviting friends and family to come. His favorite verse in the bible, which he had tattooed was Psalm 118:6, which simply read “The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid…”

Jalen loved playing soccer, watching soccer, following Manchester City his favorite soccer team, and playing the FIFA soccer video games. He also loved vacationing at the Hanna’s lovely vacation home in Bass Lake, CA, every summer. Listening to all his favorite music, going to Warped Tours, watching the Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, writing, working out to cross fit videos, hanging out at Pizza Chief where he worked or “the Chief” as he called it, and most importantly hanging out with and just loving on all his many friends!

He is survived by his loving parents, Mark and JoAnn Rosales of Ventura; his identical twin brother Jared Rosales, oldest brother Joshua Rosales both of Ventura, sister Crystal Hernandez, and brother in-law Raul Hernandez of Oxnard; his niece and nephew, Gianna and Isaiah “Jaylen” Hernandez; grandparents Fred and Esther Lopez of Oxnard, Adolfo Rosales of Ventura, and Kathleen Rosales of Oxnard; His many loving aunts; uncles; his numerous loving cousins; his church family; and so many amazing, loving, and supporting friends who he loved deeply.

In the end there were times when he was afraid, but he knew that he had God on his side, his family being with him every single step of the way never leaving his side, along with hundreds of friends and supporters lifting him up in prayer and encouraging him when he needed it most. He was an absolute fighter, never quitting, he faced what life threw at him, did everything that was asked of him, endured and then fought like no other, never ever giving up! He loved to post positive Facebook posts sharing his deepest hurts and struggles as he battled, but at the same time always wanting everyone to know he was fighting and making sure he encouraged others. He loved Stuart Scott’s recent quote who said it best “you beat cancer by HOW you live, WHY you live, and in the manner in which you live…” The family would like everyone to know that Jalen did not lose his battle, he WON, because with his life he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the Faith… Jalen has now received his reward in Heaven.

We would like to thank everyone who helped us along the way. All who cooked meals, attended the fundraiser, encouraged us and him, and just prayed for us. Also, the UCLA Medical Center’s oncology team, the doctors, care partners and nurses that gave him the absolute best care. He did not want to be there, but when he spent weeks & months at a time there, he always felt safe and absolutely loved everyone who cared for him there during his stays. Caregivers would all tell us how much they loved him as well, and shared with us how even though he was sick, he would always ask them as they entered his room “How is your day going,” that’s who he was. We would also like to encourage people to consider being a bone marrow donor at www.bethematch.org, there are many patients still waiting for a match.

A celebration of Jalen’s life is scheduled for Saturday August 29th, 2015, 11:00 A.M., at New Life Community Church, 1251 North Rice Ave, Oxnard, CA, with a burial service at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura, CA, immediately following. As Jalen would want, all are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial funds be sent to the Jalen Rosales Memorial Fund at Ventura County Credit Union, where some of the proceeds will also go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.