Jesus Jose De La Rosa

Jesus Jose De La Rosa "The Man in the Hat"
Brownsville, TX- The dusty trails of this world have grown a little quieter with the passing of Jesus, known to all as "The Man in the Hat," who rode into the sunset on August 13, 2025, at the age of 82. He was a true old-time cowboy, rough around the edges and always identifiable by the wide brim of his ever-present cowboy hat.
Born in Brownsville, TX on April 18,1943, to Jose and Maria De Jesus De La Rosa, Jesus's life was carved from the heart of the open range, or "the Ally". He was a man who lived by the sun and the sand, never complaining about the heat or the biting wind, embodying the enduring spirit of the cowboy way.
While his exterior might have seemed as rugged as a wild mustang, those who knew him best understood that underneath lay a heart as vast as the Western sky. He possessed an unwavering loyalty to his friends and family, and a generosity that some might not have easily recognized due to his rough cowboy exterior, but it was always there, shining through in his actions.
Jesus made his living by joining the army at a young age. After the army he moved back home and became a roofer, as well as traveling as a truck driver for southern pacific transportation, he met his wife as a bus driver in the late 70's. He missed home and decided to start his own business as a roofer later on named (Sunshine Roofing). He loved riding horses, taking care of his animals, and spending time with family. Home from then on was Los Fresnos, TX. He never left. He was well known in town as the Man in the Hat, "Cowboy" or "Jesse". He was a ladies' man. Everyone loved him. He had a heart of gold. He was always lending a helping hand; he gave to anyone in need. He loved working even for less than he deserved. Though his earthly ride has ended, his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and in the legacy of the cowboy spirit he so fiercely embodied.
Jesus was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen; daughter, Kathy; son, Larry; his parents; brothers, Eluterio, Juan Jose Pena, Jose Pena, and Jose Luis De La Rosa "Wicho"; great granddaughter, Brianna; as well as his beloved animals, Horse: Blue, dogs: Tinker, Tuffy, Snowball, and Brittany, and his parrot, Rico.
He is survived by his brothers, Daniel De La Rosa, Pedro Pena, Jose Angel Pena, and Gabriel Pena; Sisters, Nestora Barnes, Rosalinda Salinas, Norma Gutierrez (Alfonso), Viola Smith (Johnnie) Andrea Rodriguez; Son, Jesse Jose De La Rosa (Elizabeth); Daughter, Jesenia Salazar (Emmanuel); Grandchildren, Natalie, Claudia(Arturo), Tania, Julie(Joe), Michelle, Jewel(Henry),Jennifer, Alyssa(Pawn), Jon Robert, Elijah, Valentina; Great Grandchildren, Mia, Arturo, Jr., Gabriel, Dominick, Jaysen, Arriya, Micaela, Braylen, Urijah, Amelie, Millie, and Avery.
Services will be held at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas on Wednesday, August 20th,2025, public viewing from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 606 W. Ocean Blvd, in Los Fresnos, Texas at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow to Mont Meta Memorial in San Benito, Texas.
You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Jesus Jose De La Rosa at www.thomaegarza.com.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.