Jesse Campos Calderon, Sr.

Jesse Calderon, Sr. of Yuma, Az. passed away quietly in his sleep on the morning of Saturday April 20, 2024. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother and Uncle and he will be greatly missed.

Jesse was born on March 20th,1958 in Wilcox, Az. He was the 4th child born to Santos & Rafaela Calderon and would spend the majority of his early formative years alongside his siblings as the family traveled every backroad in the state of Arizona, as demanded by Santos’s career with the Southern Pacific Railroad..

By the time Jesse entered his teenage years, the family had settled down and established roots in Eloy, Az. One of Jesse’s proudest memories was earning a spot on freshman football team for the hometown Dust Devils of Santa Cruz High School.

On April 10, 1976, only months after being introduced to her at a quinceanera Jesse married Irma Rodriguez. She was the love of his life and he affectionally nicknamed her  “Shorty”.  Witin a year, the newlyweds would be parents, with Jesse “Pelon” Jr. arriving in February of 1977 and Michael Andrew in July of 1985.

Jesse & Irma found work in the burgeoning agriculture industry, which would eventually require the family to move to Salinas, Ca. where they would reside for 8 years before returning to Arizona and settling down in Yuma in 1994. During his time working in the agriculture industry Jesse put in the work necessary to rise from a general field laborer, to a highly skilled and deeply respected Truck Driver.

Although his work as a truck driver was a tremendous source of pride , it was his family that was his main priority and he loved to play host to weekends spent jet skiing in the summer and big family Christmases in the winter.

Jesse finally retired in December 2023. He was preceded in death by his two brothers Gigo & Johnny and by his father Santos.

He is survived by:
His patient wife Irma Calderon of Yuma, Az.
His two sons Jesse Calderon, Jr., of Tempe Az, and Michael A. Calderon, of Seattle, Wa.
His four grandchildren Tayler, Jayden, Ryleigh and Mia.
His mother Rafaela Calderon
His siblings Janie “Mimi” Gonzales, Theadora Calderon, Diana Calderon, Crystal Rafaela Calderon Chavira & Richard Calderon

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