Jesus Rosales

Surrounded by his family, Jesus Rosales passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 96 years of a full and extraordinary life. He was born to Albino Rosales and Soledad Rodriguez on November 12, 1929, and lived the next eighteen years in and around downtown San Antonio. He remembered many adventures as a young boy visiting his grandmother often near a ranch, where he recalled being bitten by a diamondback rattlesnake. Later, he lovingly cared for his mother during a cancer illness that stole her life at a young age. His Tía Margarita was also an important influence in his life. She encouraged him to join the military during a period when it was very difficult for young Hispanic men to find good jobs. Jesus, known by several nicknames, Tony, Antonio and Jesse, served with courage and honor, first in the Army Air Corps, then the newly formed Air Force. His military career took this shy young man from his simple beginnings to places far and wide, both in the United States and across the globe. Tony served in the Korean Conflict and was deployed to Korea and Japan multiple times, and later he was sent to Vietnam. He was proud to have served his country, yet he remained humble and modest about his twenty-two years of military service.

Jesus knew instantly that Lucy would become his wife when he was introduced to her at a funeral. They became inseparable, attending parties and social dances with friends and Lucy’s sisters. He quickly married Lucy and within a few years, Robert and then Veronica were born. When he was sent to Korea and Japan, once again, he sent for his young family. Lucy, Robert and Veronica traveled by prop plane, then a jet through Hawaii and Wake Island, landing in Tachikawa Airfield, and then finally arriving by train at Misawa Air Base, a trip that took almost two and half days. For three years, they lived in Misawa and visited many beautiful places in Japan. The family was also stationed in Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. Before he was deployed to Vietnam, Jesus sent his family back to San Antonio, to be with the extended family. The family settled into a new life on Westwood Drive, once Tony retired from the Air Force. He made many friends in his new neighborhood and worked at the Army Air Force Exchange and then Chaparral Aviation. He loved to barbecue for the family, work in the yard, help his neighbors, shop daily at the HEB on Oblate, play the scratch off tickets with his buddhas nearby, and take rides downtown to look at all the special places he remembered from his youth. His greatest joy was to be surrounded by the family he loved so much. Jesus had many nicknames, Antonio, Tony, Jesse, but the one he cherished most was Grandpa. He will be so missed by his family and friends.

Jesus Rosales

Born on November 12, 1929, in San Antonio, Texas

Parents: Albino Rosales & Soledad Rodriguez

Wife: Lucy Rosales, married for 58 years

Sisters: Leonor Smith, Mary Lou Rosales, Julia Delia Herrera

Children: Robert Rosales & wife, Maria; Veronica Maldonado & husband, Antonio

Grandchildren: Marc Maldonado; Matthew Maldonado; Adrienne Hardy & husband, Taylor; Angela Rosales, Esteban Rosales

Great-grandchildren: John Maldonado; Matthew Maldonado & wife, Seina; Antonio “Tony” Maldonado; Lisa Maldonado, Rose Maldonado; Aiden Zuazua; Michael Zuazua & wife, Emrie; Audrey Soledad Samora; Erik “Andy” Samora; Nolan Hardy, Owen Hardy

Preceded in death by: Parents, Wife Lucy, Sisters Leonor and Mary Lou, and Grandson Matthew.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78205, on August 10, 2026, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, with the Rosary at 7:00pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1710 Clower, San Antonio, Texas 78201, on August 11, 2026 at 11:00am.

Burial will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #1, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209, at 1:00pm.