Obituary of Jesse Lemon Barreras

Jesse Lemon Barreras June 28, 1936 – April 21, 2024 Jesse Lemon Barreras passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. He was born in Milpitas, California. Jesse was the seventh of eleven children born to Arcadio and Tomasa Barreras. He attended James Lick High School in San Jose, California and although he only completed the tenth grade, he would go on to achieve great success in a farming business – Rancho Verde – he started with his older brother, Johnny. Jesse and Johnny merged with a packing company and became Pamper’d Farms that went on to deliver fruit and vegetables nationwide. At age 17, Jesse enlisted into the United States Marine Corps. In 1956 he met the love of his life, Lydia “Marty” Viramontes, at a dance studio while taking dancing lessons. They were married on October 11, 1958. Soon thereafter, he was sent to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina to continue his service. When it was decided to deploy Jesse, he asked that he be able to see his pregnant wife beforehand. Instead, he was granted an Honorable Discharge on February 6, 1959 and would see the birth of his first son in August. Had it not been for the birth of his son, David, Jesse would have been sent off to Korea. Jesse and Marty would welcome their daughter, Pauline Suzanne in May of 1961, daughter Sandra in July of 1964 and son, Jess in March of 1973 and would continue to enjoy a long and loving marriage of nearly 63 years. Jesse had a wonderful – often silly – sense of humor and you’d know he liked you if he was to call you a hamburger, his ultimate term of endearment. He was quick to toast the guest of honor at family dinners where often the main course was Jesse’s famous barbequed teriyaki chicken thighs. And, boy, did he love to watch the San Francisco 49ers and Giants and the Golden State Warriors. Jesse is survived by his loving children Dave (Lisa) of San Jose, Suzanne (Paul) of Santa Cruz, Sandy (Dan) of San Jose and Jess (Miriam) of Soledad and five grandchildren, Lydia (David), Wren, Christian (Amber), Michael and Alex. He is also survived by his younger brothers Sam (Maria) and Joe (Gloria). Friends and family are invited to a viewing on Thursday, April 25 from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. with a funeral mass immediately following from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Resurrection Catholic Community Church located at 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA. Reception will be private.