A life-long Texan, Jesse Charles Romero was born in Corpus Christi on November 4, 1960 to Juan Leos Romero and Amelia Ramirez Romero. Jesse spent his formative years in Yoakum, where he graduated from Yoakum High School and discovered a love of history and school sports. He had fond memories of his youth playing softball, football, and spending countless hours shooting hoops with friends at City Park.
Jesse was a first-generation college student, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southwest Texas State University. He credited his professors and counselors for opportunities that led him on a life course to helping empower marginalized communities. As an intern at the Texas Capitol to then State Representative Al Luna (D-Houston), Jesse realized that the systemic inequities he experienced growing up could have legislative solutions and that his background could be an asset to shaping policy.
Jesse began developing his skills in grassroots organizing in Chicago, learning from activist Fred Ross, and then working at Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, where he was mentored by passionate community leaders, including voting rights activists Willie Velasquez, Antonio Gonzalez, and Andy Hernandez. Later, Jesse was able to champion issues related to equitable public school funding, college access, and healthcare for all when he returned to the state legislature as Director of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus under State Representatives Eddie Cavazos and Irma Rangel, as a policy analyst for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and as an independent consultant. Some of Jesse’s most rewarding work was in the area of bilingual and dual language advocacy. Together with researchers, students, and teachers, he employed the motto, “educate, collaborate and advocate” to effectively improve education for non-English speakers.
One of Jesse’s true passions was sports, both as spectator and as an athlete. As a boy, he was entranced by the feats of the Oakland Raiders, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, and the Houston Rockets. As an athlete, he immersed himself in each sport he pursued. He was active on local softball teams, played basketball at the gym, and rode the San Antonio streets with several cycling clubs. He spent many Sundays with his sons and friends of the Raider club, Defenders of the Silver and Black, celebrating the team.
A man of many monikers, Jesse called himself Dragon Slayer and a janitor of justice, but most of all, he was a loving father, a caring husband, and servant to the people. He is predeceased by: his parents and his siblings, Amelia “Moya” Romero, Guadalupe "Sonny" Romero, David Romero, John Gilbert Romero, and Eli Romero.`
He is survived by his wife, Anna Alicia Romero, and sons Emiliano Sandino, Antonio Cesar, and Victor Aetius Emmanuel; his siblings, John Romero, Carolyn D. Romero, and Mary Jane Perez of Corpus Christi. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205
