Jesus Gonzales Zuniga Jr., entered into eternal life January 22, 2024.  Jesus or as his friends and family called him, "Jesse" was a dedicated political activist, father, grandfather, and businessman who was born to Jesus and Eva Zuniga, April 26, 1939, in Floresville, Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held February 1st and 2nd. Thursday Feb 1, the visitation will be at the Angelus Funeral Home. Viewing (5:30pm) and Rosary (7:00pm), and Friday February 2, the Funeral Mass (10:00am) will be held at St. Dominic's.

Pallbearers will be Jesse's grandsons, Roger, Theodore, Patryck and Juan Carlos, son, Jesus Zuniga III, and nephew Nathan Zuniga.

Jesse was preceded in death by his wife Carmen, who he was married to for sixty years.  He is survived by his sisters, Nettie Crum, Alice Alva and Hilda Lamont, his daughter Josephine Zuniga-Banks and son Jesus Zuniga, III and his daughter-in-law, Jeanette Zuniga. Grandchildren Theodore, Jaime, Mercedes, Patryck and Robin Banks, Roger, Juan Carlos, and Julianna Zuniga.  And, great grandchildren Landon and Rayleigh Smith, Jaxxon and Derek Zuniga, Layla, Oliver, and Salem Banks.

Jesse was known to mentor many young people, including and most importantly his grandchildren. Come to Pa with a problem; Pa would find the answer to it.

Specifically, Pa was a tenacious, steadfast man, dedicated to finding the solution, whether it be defining the meaning of life, or deciding which grandkid was going to mow his lawn. And, in the rare occurrence that he did not know the answer to the problem, he would scorch earth to find it.

For Jesse, there was no room he'd walk into that he could not work with precision. He was quick to offer advice and support. When he made a decision, he carried it out with confidence and there was no looking back.

At 17, due to a car accident that immobilized his parents, he dropped out of high school to help support them.

At 84, he still gave of himself to help his family and others out of crisis, financial or personal. There was no job too large and no situation too tough for him; he always came through.

On the outside, he was a tough and hard-hitting man. He governed his family with discipline and compassion. Many times, he was called to set his family members on the right track and he never wavered.  On the inside, he was a vulnerable, caring, loving, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Now and again he knew how to crack a joke, tell a funny anecdote, or say a kind word to make people feel at ease. He was known to always have a smile and a positive thought for everyone who crossed his path.

Jesse leaves behind a legacy of education. He continued his education in the Army and then after serving in the Army and the Army Reserves, Jesse started college at St. Phillips, continued at San Antonio College and finished his undergraduate degree at St. Mary's University.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (1971) and a Master of Arts in Economics (1977). He returned to St. Mary's for continuing education and earned his real estate certification.

After serving in the military from 1958 to 1961 and while starting college in 1962, Jesse continued his federal service at Kelly AFB, The Department of Justice, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, serving as an investigator.  Jesse retired from EEOC in 1989.

Jesse also leaves behind a legacy of service. He was elected to the Edward's Aquifer Authority and advised and supported many politicians and current community leaders.

Activism was important to Jesse as he served in leadership positions for unions, organizations like the American G.I. Forum, and many local political campaigns.

In his later life, Jesse continued to serve his community as a realtor for 20 years and a member of city boards and commissions. Jesse had great compassion and a larger-than-life ability to support and provide for the needs of others.

With his countless efforts to improve his community and the City of San Antonio, Jesse worked for justice and equality for those who were often left behind.