Jesus Maria Lugo, Sr. went to his eternal rest on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. He died peacefully at his home at the age of 97, surrounded by his family.  Jesus was born in San Martin, Zacatecas, Mexico, on January 20, 1927 to Rafael Lugo Chavez and Maria Simona Fabela. In 1955 he married Maria Altagracia Valles.  They had 10 children whom they raised under a beautifully disciplined God loving home. A united family, with love and respect for others and each other, was upmost importance in his heart.

At the tender age of nine he lost his father, so he took the responsibility to work and provide for his mother and siblings, pulling them from poverty to a comfortable living. Of a quiet demeanor, a man of few words, humble and an extremely hardworking man, is what characterized him along with honesty. He did have a playful teasing side that surfaced unexpectedly. Never complained about work, even if it meant working long hours. He put all his effort into getting the job done and getting it done even to perfection. His handshake was his word and he stood by his word. He had a creative mind, always coming up with ways and ideas to simplify work or just building things. His love and passion for horses was something he had since childhood, as his father was a great horseman, so inevitably he followed his dad's footsteps. As a young man, Jesus aspired to be a charro, that is, a Mexican cowboy. He learned everything a charro did from fancy lasso tricks to training horses. Anyone who knew Jesus, had a horse story to hear or tell.

In 1944, at the age of 17, Jesus crossed the border of Mexico into the United States under the Bracero Program, a U.S. Government sponsored program that imported Mexican farm and railroad workers into the United States between the years 1942 and 1964, designed to fill agricultural shortages during World War II.  In 1981, he proudly became a naturalized citizen. Before his passing, he told his children he was not leaving them an inheritance of money and wealth, but rather the privilege of being Americans, born in the United States.

His greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, always enjoyed supporting everything they did.  He was the forefront of his children's band, Las Sirenas. The band never traveled without him.  He wrote a couple songs which were recorded by Las Sirenas. His favorite song was the one he wrote for his beloved mother, "Madrecita Consentida" and the other for his hometown, "Juan Aldama, Zacatecas". He and his wife loved singing together, and they sang beautifully, such a beautiful duo! He loved wearing his red jersey to football games where he rooted on his sons and grandsons to victories and even defeats. "Papá" was how all his grandchildren called him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rafael and Maria Simona Lugo, brothers; Daniel Lugo, Amador Lugo, sisters; Guadalupe Lugo, Julia Gomez, Maria de Jesus Fabela, Lorenza Rios, Rafaela Fraire, Lucina Medrano, sons-in-law, Carlos Rodriguez, Frank Wayne Balaszi and grandson Carlos Rodriguez, Jr.

Surviving him are his wife of 72 years, Maria Altagracia Valles Lugo, brother Marcelino Lugo Fabela, his children; Estela Caro Rodriguez, Carmen Lugo Sosa (Fidel), Jesus M. Lugo, Jr. (Olivia), Rafael Lugo (Isabel), Esperanza Lugo Hindes (Philip), Simona Lugo Olson (George), Angelina Lugo Balaszi, Lucinda Lugo, Amador Lugo, Lucina Lugo, Victor Lugo (Delia), bonus son Fabian Tovar.

Grandchildren: Armando Rodriguez, Gerardo Rodriguez (Aneita), Karla Graf (Randy), Emmoe Marin, Jose Sosa (Christina), Giovan Sosa, Elizabeth Lugo (Nathaniel), Stefani Gomez, Priscila Lugo Martinez (Daniel), Ilyssa Lugo (Kirby), Rafael S. Lugo (Stephanie), Lorena Reedy (Eric), Enrique Lugo, Adrian Lugo (Denzel), MariLu Bowen (Patrick), Javier Benavides (Courtney), George Olson, Jr., William Olson (Selena), Joey Brysch (Daniel), Frank Balaszi, Danilo Lugo, Andrew Garcia (Michelle), John Lugo (Abigail), Amador Lugo, Jr. (Jazmine), Rita Lugo, Emmanuel Lugo, Sophia Lugo, Lylliana Guerra (Michael), Diego Huddleston (Maggie), Dejanira Huddleston, Milaina Garcia (Cody), Mercedes Lugo Marroquin, Katrina McCarthy, Emma Lugo, Lisa Lugo, and bonus grandchildren, Fabian Tovar, Jr., Miriam Tovar, Rubi Tovar.

Great grandchildren: Tatiana Rubio, Madeline Martinez, Daniel Martinez, Christian Martinez, Senaya Bonds, Niviya Bonds, Karlo Bonds, Rafael Lee Lugo, Elizabella Lugo, Thomas Prichard, Edward Reedy, Araceli Reedy, Lila Reedy, Sarai Zelaya, Elliana Benavides, Owen Bailey Olson, soon to arrive Liam James Olson, Athena Lugo, John Paul Lugo, Jr., Gloria Delfina Lugo, Mina Lugo, soon to arrive Baby Garcia (Andrew), Caleb Garcia, Damien Rodriguez (Kharisma), Ildefonso Marin, Malachi Marin, Xochitl Marin, Emily Rodriguez, Mina Rodriguez, Vanessa Rodriguez, Jocelyn Oliver, Aneleh Rodriguez.

Great-great grandchildren:  Ollin Rodriguez, Annen Rodriguez

Jesus loved and appreciated his three loving and caring caregivers: Juana Martinez, Konny Lopez, and Daisy Hernandez.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 30, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at Hurley Funeral Home, Pleasanton, Texas and burial following at the Jourdanton City Cemetery. Pallbearers: his beloved grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jesus M. Lugo Sr., to the Jourdanton High School Powerlifting Program. Please make checks payable to Jourdanton I.S.D., 200 Zanderson Ave., Jourdanton, Texas 78026, referencing Jourdanton HS Powerlifting Program, in memory of Jesus M. Lugo Sr.

To watch the livestream service, please click the link: https://venues.vimeo.com/1682694601544?lang=en-US