Vicente De Jesus, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the age of 88 surrounded by his family. He was born on November 11, 1930 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to Vicente De Jesus and Francisca Izquierdo de De Jesus. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters: Thelma Velez, Angel J. De Jesus, Francisco De Jesus, Jose De Jesus, Ana Maria Cobian, Aida Cebollero, Victor De Jesus, and Carmen Luz De Jesus. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years: Carmen L. “Letty” De Jesus; children: Edgardo V. De Jesus, Carlos J. De Jesus, Daina L. De Jesus, and Sylvette M. De Jesus; grandchildren: Rebecca De Jesus, Audrey Laurell and husband Michael, Dustin Burleson and wife Maggie; great grandchildren: Keegan Knaub and Mason Knaub; daughter-in-law: Candace De Jesus; brother: Ferdinad De Jesus and numerous nieces and nephews.
Vicente was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed listening to his favorite music, which included: merengues and various ballads from the time he grew up in Puerto Rico. Vicente absolutely loved to dance. He had a passion for watching sports, especially the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Cowboys, track & field and boxing. He loved to watch westerns or as he called them “cowboy shows.” He was talented at carpentry and had utilized those skills serving others like Habitat for Humanity and special projects for the family.
Vicente was a charter member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church where he served as an usher and as a volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a 4th Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus.
Vicente graduated from high school in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico. While in school he loved to compete in baseball, track & field and boxing. He was in ROTC and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation in 1957.
He proudly served as a field artillery officer in the US Army. He earned a bronze star for valor and a purple heart for wounds received in combat while serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. Vicente also received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star along with other distinctions.
Our father will be dearly missed but we have faith that he has gone home to our Lord. He will always be in our hearts.
Visitation/Viewing will be on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 5:30 pm and Rosary at 7:00pm at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr., San Antonio, TX 78239.
Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 9am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr., San Antonio, TX 78239. Memorial Service to follow at 10:45am at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209. A reception to follow at St. John Neumann Family Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
