Jesse Morales Valenzuela

ODESSA A loving husband, devoted father and caring brother left this earth to be reunited with his Lord on August 4, 2008.

Jesse Morales Valenzuela passed away at his home in Gardendale surrounded by the family that loved him so dearly after losing his battle to lung cancer. He was 57 years old.

Jesse was the 7th child of Angelina and Juan Valenzuela and was born in Alpine, Texas. He was preceded in dead by both his parents; his sisters, Viola Porras and Sylvia Jimenez; and his brothers, Juan and Ruben Valenzuela, all of Odessa.

Jesse was a former Marine and served proudly from 1969 to 1973. Jesse married Estella Franco Diaz Ward on April 5, 1986, in Odessa Texas. His greatest pride was when he completed the Odessa College Law Enforcement Academy and became an Ector County Sheriff deputy. His life was devoted to law enforcement and he enjoyed the satisfaction of his career until his retirement in 1998.

Jesse is survived by his loving wife, Estella; and their children, Jessica Valenzuela Baeza and her husband, Omar; and his son, Jesse Fidencio Valenzuela. Jesse is also survived by his daughter, Liza Valenzuela Luna and her husband, David; and four grandchildren, Juan Jesus (J.J.), Lorena, Deja and Alexis. He is also survived by his brother David Valenzuela and wife, Isabel of Odessa; and sister, Catalina Salas and husband, Pete of Marathon, several nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2008, at Odessa Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with the Reverend Mark Woodruff officiating. Burial will follow at Ector County Cemetery (Los Angeles) section.

Pallbearers will be: Sheriff Mark Donaldson, Deputy Mike Harris, Deputy Steve Belknap, Senior Trooper Martin Santiago, Senior Trooper Leo Arrieta, Senior Trooper Daniel Lyssy.

Honorary Pallbearer: Juan Jesus (J.J.)

Don't grieve for me, for now I am free I am following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard him call. I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of the day if my parting has left a void. Then fill it with remembered joy a friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much,
Good Friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief, Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now; He set me Free