Jesus B. Villarreal, Jr., 81, formally of Corpus Christi, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas. Jesus was born in Alice, Texas to Jesus and Gavina (Benavides) Villarreal. He is preceded in death by his loving parents; his beautiful wife of 56 years, Francisca D. Villarreal; five brothers, Guadalupe, Alfredo, Reynaldo, Ramon, and Ramiro Villarreal; and two sisters, Albina Guerra and Virginia Gomez.
Jesus is survived by two sisters, Eva Anaya and Eloisa Salinas; three loving daughters, Mamie Villarreal, Janie Villarreal, and Jenny Villarreal-Sumpter (Lee); three beautiful grandchildren, Jesus David Noyola, Kaylee Frances Sumpter, and Megan Emily Sumpter; and many nieces and nephews.
Jesus, affectionately known to many as Chico, was a loving husband, an amazing father, an extremely proud grandfather, supportive uncle, and loyal friend. Jesus was married to his beautiful wife Francisca for 56 years. Within that time they raised three beautiful daughters and cherished their three grandchildren. Jesus worked his entire life to provide a loving home and a great life for his wife and daughters. One of his passions was building his trucking business, which he built from the ground up. He was so proud to have worked for over 30 years in the trucking industry in order to provide for his family.
Jesus had another passion, which was a love for music. Jesus was an incredibly talented accordionist who taught himself to play by ear at a very young age. He would often say, “Me encanta tocar el acordeón! (I love to play the accordion!).” Playing the accordion was his favorite pastime. If not “jamming-out” with his brothers at family barbeques, parties, or with his great-nephew Marky, he would partake in teaching young musicians to play at a local music school in San Antonio. He will be greatly missed by those who have been touched by his life and his love for music.
Jesus was a kind and gentle man who would greet everyone with a handshake and warm smile. So full of compassion and kindness, he would stop to help anyone having car trouble or assist any person who was “down on their luck.” He helped so many people over the decades by either offering them a place to stay or a hot meal. Jesus was a loving man with a heart of gold and so full of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, who held tight to his faith to the very end. His body is at peace but his spirit will forever remain in our hearts.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a private service for the immediate family (his children and grandchildren only). The family is planning a “Celebration of Life” in honor of their father in the Summer of 2021, which will include extended family and friends when restrictions are lifted and we may again gather safely.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, What is Parkinson's? | American Parkinson Disease Assoc. (apdaparkinson.org)
