Jesus F. Gaitan passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the age of 77.  Jesus was one of 14 children and grew up in a small Texas town called San Diego where he later moved to San Antonio. Jesus was married at 19 years old to Yolanda Escobedo Gaitan (deceased). Jesus was an amazing father to three children, Hector Gaitan (deceased) Martin Gaitan, and Tanya Gaitan and grandfather to three grandchildren, Martin Gaitan Jr., Celeste Gaitan, and Noah Gaitan (deceased). He also lovingly called Frederick, his daughter's cat, his grandcat and counted him as family.

Jesus had a natural green thumb for plants.  Any plant he could get his hands on, he would take. His energy would light up while in a plant nursery. He got excited with almost every plant he saw. You could give a dying plant and a few weeks later it was thriving. He loved to get the smaller plants to watch them grow and would eventually give them to his neighbors and start over.

Jesus was also a talented painter who has sold paintings at art galleries and sold them to people from other countries. His paintings varied from vintage abstracts to drawings to recreations of Frida Kahlo who was his favorite artist.

Jesus especially loved to be around his family the most. He enjoyed eating delicious home cooked meals from his daughter in law Carrie. Although he was a quiet man in big groups, he loved every minute of spending time with his family. His family was his pride.

Jesus was a hard worker. His first job was working on a cotton farm as a child. He eventually became a welder and worked his way up to being in a supervisory role. He was responsible for building beams for Texas highways and large buildings. He had an amazing and natural talent in this field and his hard working mentality was expected of his employees as well. He finally retired in his 60s. During his retirement, you could always find him at the downtown Main Plaza with his friends enjoying the day and people watching. They would talk for hours, meet tourists, and snack on food enjoying the day. He was lovingly called the "don" of Main Plaza.

Jesus was an amazing human being. His biggest gift to this world was kindness to people in need. He would provide for his family in every instance that they needed and also helped strangers who were without. Jesus had a natural charm with others whether through his harsh humor or simple compliments. He built friendships with strangers from corner stores to restaurants he frequented.

Jesus had many wonderful traits but the one he will be known for was a tremendously good father. His children were supported, loved, and protected throughout their lives.

Although this is a painful loss, his family is happy that he finally gets to see his wife and son after decades who he consistently missed since their passing. Although, Jesus has dealt with many tragedies in life, he remained positive, resilient, and loving to the very end.

We love you dad. Be happy.

You deserve it.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M.

Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.

The Angelus Funeral Home Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Funeral Procession Departure:

10:00 A.M. from The Angelus Chapel

Interment will follow in

San Fernando Archdiocesan Cemetery No.2