Jesus Estrada Ayala

Jesús Estrada Ayala was born in Mexico to the late Jesús Antonio and Juana Ayala. He died on January 31, 2022 at the age of 74 in La Jolla, California surrounded by his wife, three daughters, two sons and many grandchildren. He is survived by several siblings and in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Jesús, also known as Chuey, was well known in the North County and Vista community as El Mago.

He was in the auto body collision and repair profession for over 45 years and helped train many local technicians. He learned how to do auto body collision after his young daughters caused a minor car accident and he realized he could do the profession for a living. Although he announced his retirement several times, he continued to work way into his 70s and up until his death. He would train anyone who was willing to learn and take the initiative. He taught his grandchildren as early as 5-7 years of age to help around the shop as he realized his family was the future in carrying out his legacy (the shop will continue to be family run).

El Mago had a very strong work ethic at a very young age, working alongside his grandfather and father on the family farm in Mexico. As at teen, he helped his father with farming in Vista until he changed careers after completing his automotive repair studies to become a mechanic in his early 20s. He worked in the field of automotive repair until he moved into the field of auto body collision and repair. He had an entrepreneurship spirit and owned an upholstery shop in Vista in the 1990s; and held many projects as well such as operating a kiln from home to make ceramic art that included his young children partaking in the endeavor. He was very giving, always helping others. He was a loving father and grandfather and encouraged his offsprings to dream big, become self-employed, be humble and help others.

He had a strong love for baseball that started at a very young age that earned him the nickname “El Mago” because he would disappear– probably to go play baseball. He played in a men’s local league throughout his adult life and way into his late 60s. He was very proud of his team, the Titans of North County Men’s Senior 55+ Baseball League (NCMSBL) and their win of the 2015 Championship.

El Mago had a great sense of humor, always smiling and making everyone laugh with his jokes and funny stories. He also held many other hobbies including watching football and boxing, playing dominoes and poker, and giving advice and words of wisdom to anyone who would listen. He loved his life, his family– especially his wife and best friend of 50 years, Alicia.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 at Eternal Hills Funeral and Mortuary, with viewing from 5-9 pm (Eulogy at 6 pm; Words of Life of Mr. Ayala at 7 pm by Vista Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church). Church service will be held at Eternal Hills by Pastor Jose Garcia of Seventh Day Adventist Church on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 at 1 pm; followed by Mariachi during his burial at 2 pm.