Jose Luis Velazquez

Jose, Pepe was a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He was loving, respectful and had a great passion for Life. He tried not to judge others, respected people for who they were. He was very friendly and honest and did not expect much from others. He loved you for who you were. You could tell him your secrets and he would not reveal them and that was my beloved husband.

He was a singer/musician and very talented, but tired of that Life. He had lost a family once due to his passion for music so he gave it up completely.

I guess it was destiny that made us meet. When I saw him first I thought what if that was him. (The one I was searching for). I too had lost what I thought would be my last passion, but there he was my beloved Pepe. I guess love at first sight is possible.

Still I resisted, poor soul, little did he know where and who I came from the “Herrera clan”. Not too easy to get in when you are an outsider, but gradually we became inseparable as love endures it all and so no one could take us apart. We loved each other. He had such passion, but things were hard and I could only see his heart. He was so good, caring, compassionate and such a gentleman any mother would be proud to call him son.

He endured all difficult times as he could only see our love. Then came our two beloved sons Erick and Edgar how could the family not love Pepe. He gave me life. Two strong boys, one day they would be men. He taught them that they must protect and cherish their mother and respect the family. He told them, not once, but a thousand times to take care of your mom.

So now his two boys see hard times. He does not feel well, no longer did he look many years younger than his actual age. He is sick, tired and still he is told to keep going, but life for him becomes hard. His mother knows and tries to help, being so loved by her. His brother, his attorney, dies followed by his cherished mother devastation takes over him. Still he holds on for his wife and children.

He is no longer the musician/singer, no longer the man he used to be. He feels nothing. He gives up and all that was once Pepe is gone. He becomes a shadow of himself. His wife and kids see it, but he did not allow anyone else other than his mother, sister and brothers. Once his brother and mother die things change, he suffers and morns in silence to be strong for his wife and children. Even though he was begged and pleaded to hold on, things could change, should change, but he can no longer endure it all and he dies on his mother's birthday, May 24, 2012. His beloved mother sees him in so much pain and takes him with her. That is Love and that is what he had with her.

Pepe was loved by all who knew him. Pepe, we miss you and will never forget you, but I unfortunately and your four children, sister and brothers as well as the Herrera clan will have a hole in our hearts forever.

I thank you God for putting Pepe in my Life. I ask you, God and Pepe to forgive me for being so hard as I wanted him to be around forever.

We who knew him, could not resist loving him, he had such a charm about him. He was a Gentleman, Son, Husband, Father, Uncle and Friend.