Jesús María Robles-Ramírez

Well…the world lost a great one—a bona fide Mexican gentleman with a moral compass of singular northern direction—a steelworker by trade, at heart, he was an intrepid cowboy and rancher, a God-fearing man.

Jesús María Robles-Ramírez, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was born in Chimaltitán, Jalisco, Mexico, on June 30, 1935 into what can generously be described as hardship and poverty. He was one of five (5) brothers (another left this world as an infant), only one of which-the youngest-was blessed with the gift of a classical education. Yet the absence of a formal education did nothing to stunt his ambition.

Thoughtful and contemplative, he was graced with inscrutable, almond eyes, hiding both the storm of ideas in his mind and his intense love for his family. And despite what his brothers might claim to the contrary, no more handsome a caballero than him ever hailed from those parts.

Yet, in defiance of a less than auspicious beginning to his journey, Jesús was an enigmatic and complicated character of many talents; a subject worthy of the dazzling pen of the geniuses of the literary pantheon—Stendhal, Dostoevsky, Fuentes, Garcia Marquez. Sensing his native land was too small for his outsized dreams, he headed north after completing compulsory military service, not unlike his father before him, who worked in the bracero program in the 1950’s.

From the age of 20 years, he began working in the United States in a variety of jurisdictions—California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and perhaps more he never made known. On December 28, 1963, he married the love of his life, the stunning Juana Avila and started a family. While he continued to work in the United States, his family slowly grew in Mexico; the first four of his children were all born there. When preparations had been made, he sent for them and they eventually joined him in the United States. After briefly residing in Fort Worth, Texas, Jesus moved his family to the hamlet of Mansfield. Like a writer with a day job, Jesus plied his trade as a steelworker in order to support his family and his true love of cattle ranching, among many other side businesses; he was as industrious as he was clever.

Despite the many hardships he encountered, he had a great big heart and never turned away another member of the community in need; whether that need was for a helping hand, a loan, a ride to Dallas, or to borrow one of his progeny to act as interpreter for a family friend or stranger. He never denied anyone, especially his children—all university educated professionals in a variety of fields.

Jesus was proud, steadfast, and sometimes uncompromising in his approach to life, but he sacrificed everything for his family, like Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for all. The name Robles is the plural of roble, meaning oak, or oak tree; an oak can withstand tremendous storms and even when stripped of its leaves, survives because of its enormous strength. My father was as strong as an oak and no tempest ever got the better of him, ever came close to destroying his resolve.

But in his final weeks and days, he fought a valiant battle with a damnable foe, prostate cancer; he was locked in prayerful communion with the Lord and refused to leave the field of battle until his family surrounded him and acquiesced in his too-sudden departure. His steadfast gallantry and vastness of passion is an example we will carry with us in our hearts until he sends for us once again, as he did when he brought us to this great nation for our own good. Like a sage philosopher, Jesus was a man of many proverbs: “El que tiene, pierde. El que no tiene, pierde de tener”; “Nadie vende su caballo por bueno”; “El que compra barato, compre cada rato”.

Jesús is survived by a constellation of exceptional personalities—his wife, beloved Juana Avila Robles, possessed of a heart with love that burns as bright as the very sun; six (6) children: Yolanda Robles Jacquet; Olga Robles Simmons; Juliana Robles; Martin Robles-Avila; Tony (Jesus Antonio) Robles who faithfully attended to him until he drew his last breath; Abel Robles; and 4 grandchildren: Alexis Jacquet; Raquel (Rocky) Jacquet; Isabella (Bella) Robles; and Abel Jesus (AJ) Robles. Jesús is also survived by three brothers: Ruben Robles; Alfredo Robles; and Arturo Robles.

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, a piece of all our hearts left with you on November 3, 2020, when you struck out to settle new lands. We wish you love and happiness. A piece of your heart is inside all of us and you will always live there. The great writer Isabel Allende said, “La muerte no existe, la gente solo muere cuando la olvidan; si puedes recordarme siempre estaré contigo” (Death does not exist, people only die when they are forgotten; if you can remember me, I will always be with you). Father, you will never die because we will never forget you and you will forever be in our hearts.

Farewell and Godspeed, my King (hasta el próximo, mi rey)…and until we meet again, hallowed be your name…

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesfortworth.org a nonprofit providing compassionate aid to families living in poverty, as well as immigration services (1 in 6 Texans is an immigrant).

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jesus M. Robles, please click on the Flowers and Gifts tab at the top of this page, or plant an oak tree in his honor.


The Robles Family