Jacobo Villarreal age 67 died Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Kingsville Nursing & Rehab Center in Kingsville. He died on the same day 4/26 that he met his wife 48 years ago.
He was born on Sunday, July 22, 1951 to Manuel F. and Cecilia G. Villarreal in Edinburg, Texas.
He retired from L-3 Vertex after almost 26 years working at NAS Kingsville. He was proud to work on the T-45 planes.
Jacobo was a member of St. Martin's Catholic Church. He was a Corporal in the United States Marines and also served in Charlie's Company Marine Reserve Unit out of Corpus Christi. He was proud to be a Marine and he didn't let people forget it.
He loved hearing Tejano and country music. A Dallas Cowboy and NASCAR fan to the end. He was a very good dancer, enjoyed socializing, and meeting people. He enjoyed his exercise walks around the court house. He loved Whataburgers, Pizza Hut Pizza, Popeye's chicken Wings, and breakfast tacos from Taqueria Martinez. He enjoyed watching sports and being outside with his plants and pets which included his birds, dogs, cats, doves, and chickens as he was raised on a farm.
Jacob graduated from Rio Grande City High School in 1970 and attended Texas A&I University. Even though he didn't have the opportunity to finish college, he made sure his son got the education that he needed.
He was a hard worker never lazy as he was always a very good provider for his family.
He enjoyed going to the valley once a month to see his family. Enjoyed hunting with his brothers and nephews. Was always worried about his brother but he would take him to the store or to the burger place or just shopping every chance he could. He enjoyed eating at their house and being spoiled by his sisters Elena, Cris and Elva when visiting. He would try to visit as many family members as he could in his visits to the valley.
After he retired, he enjoyed eating and socializing and participating in the bingo games and events at the Kleberg County Human Services Center. He had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a lot of his table buddies including the late Lalo DelaPaz, the late Jesus Garcia, and the late Adan Perez. Also sitting at the table were Juan Alaniz, Arcadio Amaya, Gilbert Castillo, Fred Rodriguez, Ernesto Rodriguez, Danny Reyes, Mrs. Yolanda Chavez, Juan Lozano, Gus Garza, and Eladio Martinez. They had their share of laughter and enjoyed sharing stories at their table. He enjoyed singing for the nursing home music ministry with Liz on Sunday mornings. He enjoyed the rosary with Emma, Maggie, and MaryAnn, and church services on Sundays with Emma. He was a member of the Alianza De Oro organization. He was outspoken, witty, often stubborn, and set in his own ways and often speaking loud, he would not realize how loud as he would state this was due to working under the jet planes for so many years. He enjoyed being the center of attention at the nursing home and sharing his goodies with everyone. He was spoiled by the staff.
He enjoyed traveling and was in Japan, California, Washington, Hawaii, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada, and Mexico.
His greatest joy was when the guys from his work shift would invite him to a restaurant for breakfast. He would even state that after he retired, the guys never forgot about him.
At the nursing home he would wheel around often helping those that needed help. Often times not remembering names he would call everyone Tio or Tia as a form of respect for not knowing or remembering their names. He enjoyed playing his harmonica and visits from his sisters: Elena, Criselda, and Elva. Thank you to Ms. Crystal Jackson, his niece, for also visiting her uncle in the hospital and nursing home. He would constantly want to help other residents, one time falling down trying to help a resident. He thought he could walk but he was unstable, making it hard for him to cope with his weakness. Often times people would see him, because he was young, and misjudge his situation.
He enjoyed working in the oilfield companies in his earlier years and playing Loteria with his immediate family on the weekends. He also worked in the fields at a very young age as a migrant worker helping out his family. He enjoyed taking Ernesto (Tio Cuate) during their earlier years to all the festivals in Alice, Freer, and San Diego. He was the only one that my Tia Tina would allow to have him call her (Borlotes). He would state she is into everything. Thank you to Dimas, Hector and Olga, Tony, Juan, Cris, Elena , Elva, Sandra, and his nephew Johnathan for visiting him in ICU.
Thank you to the KNRC therapy department for working with him, Yvette, Stephanie, and Jennifer. I know he was hard to deal with and hard to handle but you all had a unique way to motivate him. He was the quarterback of the nursing home, if he wasn't there they wanted to know why.Thank-you to the activity department members Kelly, Glenda, and Amy for putting up with him, especially when he did not win bingo or Loteria. Thank you to all the LVN's and Certified Nursing Assistants. Thank you to Elena the van driver in helping me get him to his doctor's appointments. Thank you to the Skilled Nursing Unit of the nursing home when he first arrived last year there because he was a handful. You all are a group of very dedicated people and who deeply care about your residents.
He enjoyed for his friend from back home Luis Hernandez to visit him and bring him sweetbread at the nursing home. Thank you to Mr. Jose Longoria and Mr. Fred Rodriguez for your constant visits to Jacob. Mr. Fred thank you for the Marine photo.
Thank you to his nieces Cecilia Y. Chapa, Cynthia Villarreal, and Claudia Villarreal for visiting their uncle in the ICU in Corpus.
It has come as a shock to the family, staff employees, residents, friends, and volunteers of hearing of his death. I'm still in a state of shock that on Wednesday he was unconscious from a head trauma to Friday in which he would be classified as terminal and I had to start looking for Hospice because all his organs were shutting down. I'm still having a hard time trying to understand what happen to him.
He will forever be in our hearts.
He was the co-owner of JOJ Gifts in Kingsville. At one time we were at the Corpus Christi Trade-Center where he enjoyed talking and meeting with customers.
On Friday, being unconscious and the sense of hearing which is the last to go, his hands being warm I told Jacob today is Friday the 26 of April, my favorite number and 48 years ago today I met you. I was wearing a red dress with flowers and you were wearing a purple shirt and you were on your way to the Javalina Dance Hall, we stayed talking and you never left to the dance hall after all.
As I was telling him that I loved him very much and it was OK to go, that Joseph and I will be fine. For him to go and rest where he will be free from pain and suffering, where all his family members were waiting for him with open arms. I mentioned the names of family members that have gone before him and I told him when it's my turn, you wait for me with open arms. I prayed the Our Father and Hail Mary and the Psalm 23 to him and blessed him and gave him a hug and kissed him good-bye. Shortly after at twelve noon he took his last breath.
He is preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Cecilia Villarreal, brother Santos, and sister Sofia Villarreal. His in-laws Jose Guadalupe (Lupe) Ramos and Maria G. Ramos, uncle Ernesto (Tio Cuate) Ramos and aunt Ernestina R. Garza (Tia Tina).
Jacobo is survived by his wife of 43 years Ofelia R. Villarreal of Kingsville, Texas and his son Dr. Joseph Ramos-Villarreal of Laredo, Texas. Sisters: Criselda (Beryl) Hill, Elva (the late Beto) Jackson, Elena (John) Sherman, Luisa (Ramon) Garza, and Sandra (Barney) Soto. Brothers: Heralio (Christina) Villarreal, Juan (Graciela) Villarreal, Dimas (Sylvia) Villarreal, Hector (Olga) Villarreal, Antonio (Alma) Villarreal, and Edwardo Villarreal, all from the Rio Grande Valley area. Several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, co-workers, compadres, and comadres, and his godchildren.
Visitations will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a rosary by Mrs. Emma Ramos at 6:30p.m. at Ramirez/Salinas Funeral Home 230 East Ella Street Kingsville. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at St. Martin's Catholic Church 715 North 8th Street Kingsville with Father Naul Ordonez officiating and Deacon Raul Rosales assisting.
Interment will follow at Santa Gertrudis Cemetery, 835 West Caesar Ave., Kingsville with full Military Honors by the Kleberg County Veterans. The Patriot Guard Riders of South Texas under the direction of John McCarty Lead Ride Captain will provide the Flag Line and Escort.
Pallbearers will be his beloved L-3 Vertex crew: Luis Hernandez, Robert Esquivel, Mando Garcia, Carlos Chapa, Sam Rangel, Art Gonzales, Flumencio Garcia, and Florencio Moreno, Sr.

Ofelia and Joseph wish to thank the following people: Thank you to Kingsville Nursing and Rehab Center whose staff and residents were an inspiration to his life. Despite his demanding behavior they provided exceptional care to the end. Sensible Ambulance Service who brought him from a valley hospital to Kingsville and to all those constant trips to ER, Thank you. To Christus Spohn Kleberg ER staff and House Supervisor Ms. Sears and Melissa for their concern that day with Jacob. Thank You Corpus Christi Medical Center ER Department (Bert/Jan/ and Irene) who stayed with him and their care that night despite being full. Thank you to ICU Unit (Courtney/Marisa/Dara/Marion/Sandy/Vanica/Dr. Anderson/ Dr.Bui/ and the Critical Care Team, these people are truly dedicated to their service and Jacob was treated with great compassion and respect. Ares Bakery and Dixie Cream Donuts (Mr.and Mrs. Sitha Sok) for the delicious assortment of donuts.
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Saenz for the luncheon to the funeral home. Mr. and Mrs. Florencio and Maria Moreno Sr. and family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Mary Terry Moreno Silva, and son whose love and compassion to our family for over 40 years has been beyond. We are truly grateful to you all.
Thank-you to all the Kleberg County Human Services staff members for providing the opportunities for his socialization and nutritional needs.
Thank you to Mrs. Margarita Dominguez and Moises Dominguez for the luncheon. Thank you to Mrs. Emma Ramos for making him his own special rosary which his taking with him.
Thank you to the pallbearers for taking time from work to carry and assist him to his final destination Robert, Luis, Art, Sam, Carlos, Mando, Flu, and Florencio.
Thank you to Mr. Humberto Ortegon for calling the veterans and setting it up. Thank you to Danny Salinas and Mario Cantu and their funeral staff for your loyalty and beautiful service to Jacob. Danny knew Jacob in his earlier years of business and Jacob would crack up jokes to make the job easier and faster. Thank you to Annabelle Garcia manager of Santa Gertrudis Cemetery and to Augie for helping in a difficult time. Thank you to Jolene Hackfeld at Regency Health Services who visited Jacob in ICU. Thank you to Allison, Case Management at Doctor's Regional for all your help. Thank you to Rev. Eric Chapa for the last rites from St Pius Church in Corpus. Thank you to Santitos and Roy Garcia for the delicious dinner. Thank you to Norma (Housekeeping) for always reminding him not to get up because the floor was wet and Jacob telling her Tia I got this. Thank you to his table buddies at the nursing home Rosie, Israel, Gabriel and others who would come and visit him. He enjoyed sharing with other residents what he had or they had especially with Rosie, Pilo, Cele, Delia, Mrs. Garcia , Mrs. Martinez, and Mrs. S. Villarreal. Thank you to Armand Rosenthal for visiting and keeping in contact. To Mando Garcia, Sam Rangel, and Tony Morante for also visiting Jacob. God Bless you all. To Kip for taking the time to take Jake to the viewing services of their coworker. That meant a lot to him.
Thank-you to Mrs. Gloria B. Cantu, Mrs. Maggie Salinas, and Mrs. Yolanda Chavez for your calls and concerns.
Thank you again to Lisa Falcon, RN DON at Kingsville Nursing and Rehab for your constant compassion. To all the Nursing staff, Physical and Speech therapy, Activities, Dietary, Housekeeping, and Maintenance staff, you all are truly angels of God in your compassion and love for Jacobo and to all the residents and their concern with his health, Thank you.
Thank you to Karen Gutierrez RN from Gracia Hospice whose love and care were beyond, you have a special unique care that goes beyond the one on one. To Melissa, Ester, and Laura, Thank you very much for your support and understanding.
To El Zarape Record Shop (Carlos and Angie Garcia) for making Jacob's favorite songs into a CD.
Thank you to Dr. Hemmert and Joe and their entire medical, nursing, and office staff and to Dr. Beato and his staff for all the care provided to Jacob throughout the years of service.
Thank you to the countless people of family, friends, volunteers, staff who would stop to check in on him often bringing him goodies and gifts.
Thank you to the Kleberg County Veterans for the military service. Thank you to John McCarty and the Patriot Guard Riders of South Texas for the Flag Line and Escort. You have no idea how much of an honor this means to me. Thank you not only for your service but for your commitment.
Thank you to Father Naul and Deacon Rosales for an outstanding funeral mass.
Thank you for the beautiful words of comfort in phone calls, visits and text messages, food and monetary offerings. God bless each and everyone. You will forever be in our hearts. May God bestow many blessings on each one of you. We also would like to thank family and friends that came from out of town and May you all have a safe trip going back home after the services.
If I left someone out that I didn't Thank, I truly am so sorry, It's just been an overwhelming shock for us. Once again, Thank You and Forever in our Hearts.
To Love
To love is to share
The good and the bad
The Joy and the Sorrow
Sad days and the glad
To love is to give
Again and again
To please and to pamper
Such joy it does bring
To love is forgive
The large and the small
As forgiving then to forget
Instead to recall
To love is to lose something
Precious and dear
Yet gracefully, give it up to God
Without even a tear.
Unknown Author

JACOBO THE MARINE
"SEMPER FI"
'FLY HIGH WITH THE ANGELS'