JOSE BARAJAS

1943 - 2023

JOSE DE JESUS

HERRERA

BARAJAS

Nov. 10, 1943 Jan. 27, 2023

It is with great sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, great uncle, boss, and friend. Jesus Herrera Barajas, 79, of Calexico, CA, went to be with our Lord on January 27, 2023, in El Centro, CA, surrounded by his loving daughters.

Jesus was a long-time resident of Calexico, CA. He moved here as a young husband and father of five from Mexicali, MX. He was born in Cotija, Michoacan, MX, to parents Rafael Herrera and Fortunata Marthita Barajas on November 10, 1943.

As a new U.S. resident, Jesus joined the many migrant workers as a laborer. Soon after, he was working alongside his father as a ranch hand for the Allied Cattle Feeders Company, and within two years, he was a sanitation technician with the City of Calexico. He attended Imperial Valley College to improve his English and promote within the Calexico's Sanitation Department.

He always dreamed of becoming his own boss, and while still working for the city, he became the proud owner of the Wagon Wheel Bar in Calexico. Don Chuy, as he was affectionately called, happily attended to his business evenings and very late nights. Sadly he lost the Wagon Wheel to an earthquake, but shortly before he retired from the City of Calexico after serving for 30 plus years, he acquired the 111 Club in Calexico on Imperial Avenue. He reveled in cooking weekend botanas and holiday meals for his customers. He owned the 111 Club for 20 years before selling it and fully retiring. He was happily enjoying his retired life splitting his time between San Felipe, MX, and Calexico.

Jesus loved taking his family to Ensenada and San Felipe during the summers, where they enjoyed swimming, fishing, playing, and walking on the beach. Many summer weekends were enjoyed visiting family in La Rumorosa, MX.

In the 1970s, Jesus' love of baseball touched many in the community, as well as his neighboring community of Mexicali. He coached T-ball, Little League, Babe Ruth, and a traveling neighborhood team. During the early 80s he played in the Calexico's Adult Softball League and served as the league's president for a full term. He also enjoyed chartering buses to the San Diego Padres home games from time to time.

His life revolved around hunting and fishing. He was an active member of the Club De Tiro Casa y Pesca Rio Colorado, A.C., from Mexicali, where he had served as vice-president and president for a couple of terms. For his family and friends, hunting and fishing won't be the same without him. He was loving, kind, caring, and generous to everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 siblings, and his grandson, Manuel Antonio Gonzalez.

Jesus is survived by his children, Martha Castano, Lorena Plancarte, Sylvia Herrera, Elvia Herrera, Jesus Herrera, Erika Herrera-Padilla, Cesar Herrera, and Jessica Herrera-Madera; 5 sons-in-law; 2 daughters-in-law; 24 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren; his brother, Rafael Herrera; and many nieces and nephews.

A mass will be held on February 24, 2023, at 6 p.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 135 Fourth St., Calexico, CA, officiated by Rev. Jose Sosa, Sch.P. Followed by services from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Latinoamericana Recinto Funeral Home, Calz. James W. Stone, Primera, 21100, Mexicali, MX.