Jesse R Quinones

Jesse Rivas Quinones, 87 years of age, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at home surrounded by his beloved family. Jesse was born on June 1, 1937, in Alice, Texas to Valentin and Maria de Jesus R. Quinones. The family lived in Alice, Texas where he met and married the love of his life, Diana Esparza Quinones, in 1959. They later settled in Baytown in 1965 where they raised their 5 wonderful children. Jesse was a devoted Catholic and was strong in his faith. He was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church attending regularly until his recent illness made it difficult for him to do so. He lived by the words, “With God’s Will,” and it was with God’s will that he is no longer with us for his journey with Multiple Myeloma escalated until God, in his divine mercy, took him home.

Jesse was a dedicated and diligent hard worker. While growing up in Alice, Texas he skillfully balanced working as a shoe shiner and picking cotton alongside his family. Upon graduation he embarked on a new career in the oil drilling industry and moved his family to Mission, Texas. While in Mission, Mr. Pinter with Pinter Oil Co. asked him to move to Baytown in 1965 to join his company as a derrickman in various oil fields in and around Baytown. He also had a small tenure in offshore drilling. He would then begin his career with United States Steel Corp, until the Baytown plant was shut down in April of 1982. After the Baytown plant shut down, he was transferred to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, he soon realized how much he missed his family and returned to Baytown. In October of 1990, he embarked on a new career with Lee College in the Maintenance Department. While working at the college, he assisted numerous “adopted grandchildren” with their college expenses before retiring in 2017. He was someone you could count on, he never hesitated to give, no matter who asked, proving that his greatest wealth was love and kindness.

In the early ‘70's, Jesse and his wife, Diana along with a few others, spearheaded the formation of the Baytown Guadalupe Saints. His passion for sports was evident, he went on to coach soccer for the Baytown Guadalupe Saints and baseball for Baytown West Little League. He became known to many as Mr. Q, a figure of admiration and was respected by many.

He always wanted the best for everyone, especially the younger generation, as he himself lacked the opportunity and resources to further his education in his youth. One of his favorite sayings was, “It is better to give, than to receive.” We believe what set him apart was not just his generosity, but his infectious spirit. He knew no bounds—whether it was sharing his time, his wisdom, or a meal with someone in need. He had an uncanny ability to light up any room, bringing joy and laughter with a joke, a story, at times a LONG STORY or simply his presence. He was the first to lend a hand, offer support, or give whatever he could to help others, without expecting anything in return. He was the life of the party, always ready to dance, “smooth as butter” some would say, share a smile, and make people feel at ease. His grandkids always knew he was close by when they heard his distinctive duck voice, and they will truly miss that unmistakable call from him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Diana E. Quinones, his son, Jesse Quinones, Jr., grandchild he raised, Mark Anthony Quinones, his parents Valentine and Maria De Jesus Quinones an uncle who raised him, Vicente Paderes; brothers, Silvestre, Julian, Vicente, Luis and Manuel Quinones; sisters, Dorathea Aguilar, Petra De La Garza, Estella Garcia.

Left to mourn him are his children; Imelda Hernandez, LaMar Santos, Marco Antonio Santos, Araceli (Everardo) Garcia, Luis (Mati Betancourht) Quinones, Frank Hernandez; a great grandchild he raised, Brittney Quinones along with her four children who he loved and cared for very much, Aubrey, Cataleya, Ava and Eddie, Jr.; other children who lived in their house for many years, Sandra Hernandez and Roy Gallardo; grandchildren, Christopher (Sharon) Hernandez, Jeremy (Rachel) Hernandez, Jennifer (Jorge) Cervantes, Julisa Santos, Natalie (Johnny) Meza, Daylan Santos, Everardo, Jr (Ida) Garcia, Kimberly (Alex) Tellez, Brianna (Sergio Vasquez) Garcia, Joshua (Cynthia) Garcia, Laura (Nathan) Shostak, Steffanie (Rick) Holguin, Nicolas Quinones, Andrew Sandoval, Luis Quinones, Bianca Quinones, Mark Quinones, Jr. He is also survived by his sister, Lupe Valadez of San Antonio, Texas, sister-in-law, Amelia Garza: 40 great-grandchildren: 6 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

His family will receive friends at Earthman Funeral Home Sunday, January 12, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, officiated by Rev Dilip Kumar Soreng, SVD. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. For anyone wanting to pay their last respects doors will open at Earthman’s on Monday at 10:00 A.M.

Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher Hernandez, Daylan Santos, Luis Quinones, Andrew Sandoval, Mark Quinones, Jr., Kaleb Carmona and Jacob Quinones. Jeremy Hernandez, Everado Garcia, Jr. and Nicolas Quinones will serve as honorary pallbearers.

We are deeply grateful for Chelsea Prinz from Ascend Hospice Care for the compassionate care she provided to Jesse during his final days.

To view the online obituary or to post a tribute for the family, go to Jesse Quinones Obituary. Arrangements are under the direction of Earthman Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Rd. Baytown, TX 77521, 281-422-8181.