Jesus Andrew Aguilar

JESUS ANDREW AGUILAR - "JESSE"

May 9, 1987 – July 18, 2013

Jesse was born in Artesia, California on May 9, 1987. He was the first child of Jesus and Andrea, first grandchild of Carmen and Hector Aguilar and Elvia and James Hauser.

From the first day he arrived, he was a joy for all of his family. Weekends with Jesse were in such high demand we had to set up a calendar for all of us to babysit.

Shortly after his new baby sister Camille arrived, we received the devastating news that Jesse had a Wilms' Tumor and was going to need immediate surgery. The family came together to be at his side. Needless to say, this was an extremely upsetting time for his entire family. Jesse reassured us that "the doctors were going to get all the bad guys out" and he would be back soon. Dr. Finklestein and his amazing oncology team removed the tumor and his kidney and began a full year regimen of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Because of Jesse's age, he was fitted with a broviac catheter to administer the chemotherapy.

Throughout his full year of treatments, he showed all of us what courage looked like. He taught us his routine, 2 betadine, 1 alcohol, 2 betadine. He showed us how to participate in his care – he was only 3 years old!

At the end of the year, Dr. Finklestein gave us the news we had hoped and prayed for, he was in remission. He also invited Jesse and the family to celebrate and participate in the Jonathan Jacques Champions Run for Life. His first year, and every year thereafter, he was sponsored by the Geminder Family. Jesse and all of us are so appreciative of the love and support they so generously provided for the next 23 years!

Jesse had always enjoyed baseball, so at the age of 5, he began his lifelong passion of playing the game. Even in t-ball, he demonstrated a natural ability to play baseball. Jesse continued in baseball, an All-Star every year. He dazzled everyone with his incredible defensive plays and timely hitting. Jesse's dad was his coach and spent lots of hours on the field practicing and playing games. We all set our schedules to watch him play.

When Jesse turned 7 his next big surprise joined the family, his brother Justin was born. He was such a good brother to Camille, but was never interested in her dolls. When Justin arrived, he had his own little brother to play baseball with.

Another sport he started to play was golf. We all enjoyed the early rounds of golf, first at Norwalk, then Ironwood Nine and Long Beach Rec. Soon after, he was off to the big courses and beating us all. Golf was a game he first enjoyed with his Dad, uncles Hector, Jimmy, Cleveland and Kevin and his aunts Cris and Teri. As his cousin Tre grew older, they would share the same passion and many rounds of golf. Soon Justin would join them and the competition was on!

When Jesse turned 12, his baby sister Danika was born. By this time he was an experienced big brother and could hardly wait to show her the ropes.

Jesse had many special relationships with his aunts and uncles, Hector and Michelle; Anita and Cleveland; Cris and Kevin; DD and Jeff; Missi, Jimmy and Teri. They treasured their time and talks with Jesse and will forever know he is with them.

Jesse was the oldest cousin and "big brother" to all of them. Tre, Mikaela, Matthew, Danielle, Analicia, Hailie, Zoi, Anthony, Hector and Bently. He appreciated all of them for their unique talents and loved them deeply.

Jesse, Camille, Justin and Danika loved and supported each other, but Jesse always lead the way. He was extremely protective of his brother and sisters, but above all was very proud of them. Jesse and Camille had a special bond that became even stronger when he became an uncle to Bella and Faith. Bella was his video game partner and helped him with Spud. Faithy was just getting used to his mustache. Justin was devoted to his big brother, and Jesse treated him like a son. Always there to give him advice, but most of all love. Danika was his "baby grill" and he loved watching her play softball.

Jesse was very blessed to have both sets of grandparents play important roles in his life and were always there for him, Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Hector and Grandma Elvia and Grandpa Jim.

Jesse treasured his time with his Dad and loved the fact that as he got older, everyone told him how much he looked like him.

Jesse had a special bond with his mother and their love will endure forever.

As well as his big family, Jesse had his extended family of friends. The young men who he grew up with and spent lots of time with making lots of memories and great stories. Jesse was a humble soul, who always had your back. He was everybody's best friend.

Jesse was a free spirit and enjoyed life, but never more than after he got his motorcycle. He said the bike made him feel free, like he could do anything. Jesse never got cheated in life, making the best of everything and always had a smile on his face.

He would tell us now, he will always be around, and we will be together soon. He is in God's paradise, riding fast and free, driving greens and setting it all up for us. He has lots of family keeping him company and will be watching over all of us.

Jesse, we miss you and will always love you!