Jose de Jesus Valenzuela, Born on August 24, 1942 in Capilla de Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico and passed peacefully in his home at the age of 83 surrounded by his loved ones.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Known by many as Mr. Jessie, he always helped his neighbors with their yards or showed up to lend a hand when needed. He was a familiar face for many in neighborhood because he enjoyed sitting in the porch after lunch or early in the evenings with cup of coffee and his dog Princess on his lap, waving and greeting passersby’s.

Jesse grew up in a very humble home and his grandfather and uncles showed him how to work the rich soils of Jalisco where they worked in growing beans, corn, squash and other vegetables. He applied his hard-working skills when he moved Council Bluff, IA to work in a tortilla factory. He eventually returned to Mexico for a short time before his way to Corpus Christi, TX. He worked in a few restaurants but it was at Nolan’s Steak House where he honed his skills in the running a kitchen. In 1980, Jesse moved his family to Premont, TX where he and his wife successfully operated the Oasis Restaurant for over 10 years. He sold the business and his vision to turn a vacant Circle K building near TX A&I into El Tapatillo Restauarnt and purchased the El Cortez Restaurant in Corpus Christi. He sold both restaurants and made the decision to retire in 2001. He was often stopped by friends and at times by strangers who told him they missed his chicken fried steak and famous cream gravy.

He is preceded in death by hi smother Ricarda de Leon, his brother Guadalupe and his sister Hilaria De Leon.

He is survived by his wife Maria Concepcion of over 50 years, his daughter Cristina (Miguel) Briseño, daughter Elizabeth Valenzuela, grandson Victor Manuel Briseño, grandson Luis Carlos (Zoe) Briseño, and great grandson Miguel Agustin Briseño and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family will receive condolences beginning at 9:00 a.m., with a rosary to follow at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Chamberlain Cemetery.

His strong faith in God and in Mary our Mother, gave him the strength and reassurance that all things were possible. He will be missed dearly by his family as he was the one who led the daily Holy Rosary and led us in prayer at all family gatherings.