Jesus Manuel Vargas

Jesus Manuel Vargas was born on August 11, 1954 in the quaint and historic city of Mesilla, New Mexico to parents Lucia Maese Perez of Mesilla, New Mexico and Manuel Vargas of Alcala, Texas.

Jesus was born in the adobe house of his beloved grandparents, Natividad Maese Perez “Lita” and David Perez “Guelo.” He had at the time three siblings:  Maria Dolores “Loli” who is the eldest, Maria Teresa “Tere” and Socorro “Koki” the youngest sibling at the time.

Jesus was born into a family of hard-working farm workers who worked sunrise to sunset in the fields harvesting cotton. 

 Jesus did not remain in New Mexico, as his parents took him back to California before his first birthday.  His parents resided in Rancho Sespe which was a migrant camp community.  They worked harvesting and packing citrus fruits.  Jesus loved visiting his maternal grandparents every summer.  He admired Guelo’s love and respect for nature and for all living beings.  He admired

Lita for always striving to keep their family’s values intact.  He admired her strong spirit and resilience.

When Jesus was a teen-ager, he got a wonderful surprise gift from his mom, a beautiful baby sister named Natalie Nancy “Nani.”

 He loved Nani as his very own daughter. 

Jesus held a very special and unique place in his heart for all 4 of his sisters and loved them all dearly.

Jesus graduated from Hueneme High School and enrolled in Oxnard Community College.  He earned 2 Associate Degrees from Oxnard Community College.  He continued his pursuit of higher education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and Education from Cal State Northridge California in 1993.  Jesus considered receiving his Bachelor’s Degree to be one of his greatest accomplishments.

Jesus began his career in 1971 at Naval Sea Systems Command, Port Hueneme Division. In 1999 he joined the Supply Department as a Computer Assistant.  In 2003, he became a Supply Subject Matter Expert with ISMIS. In 2008, Jesus took on with relish new challenges in the Depot Engineering Branch, material cannibalization and diversion in the Ship Defense and Expeditionary Warfare Department.

Throughout his career, Jesus received multiple accolades, including Employee of the Month in 2010.  He received the prestigious Department of Defense National Organization for Mexican-American Rights Award for the years 2011 and 2015.   However, what was more important to Jesus than receiving awards was the human element in fulfilling his duties.  He served as a mentor and a guiding force to his co-workers.  Jesus was always striving to improve and strengthen procedures in the work force.  His dedication, humility, and pride in his work made an impact that will always be felt and appreciated.

Jesus and his wife Evelyn lived happily together for 42 years.  Jesus was loved and respected by many people.  He was known as a “people magnet” because he possessed the rare human gift of drawing people to him like a magnet.  Jesus enjoyed and loved music; his favorite musical artists were the Beatles.  He enjoyed music so much that he wanted to share his joy with others so he decided to become a DJ.  “DJ Chancla” as he was known by all soon became immensely popular in Ventura County and beyond.   Jesus enjoyed bringing the gift of music to family gatherings and to community events.

Jesus was a proud honorary member of the Navajo Nation and he was very proud of his indigenous bloodlines. Jesus took great pride in being part of the Pueblo-Tigua Nation through the heritage of his indigenous grandfather, David Perez.

Jesus passed away peacefully on September 16th, 2025.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Evelyn; his beloved sisters, Dolores and Socorro (Bob), brothers-in-law Ralph (Carol), Robert (Debbie), and Ronald; sisters-in-law, Sonia and Genevieve; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces; his adopted son, Luke Gibson of the Navajo Nation and his beloved adopted family from the Navajo Nation, whom he loved and cared for deeply.  He will always be remembered with love by his many cousins, great cousins, and friends.  Jesus is dearly missed by his 2 beautiful baby girls, his cats Mihija and Tabby.  Jesus was everyone’s friend, advisor, mentor, and family member.  Jesus was loyal, kind-hearted and trustworthy. He was a man of his word.  He generated love and trust from everyone he met.  Jesus loved to generate joyful laughter and possessed a great sense of humor.  Jesus was a man of great Christian faith and his favorite Scripture was John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son; that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

He deeply loved and cherished his wife of 42 years, Evelyn, and was very proud of her.  Last but not least, Jesus cherished his 1962 Chevy Impala Super Sport’s car.

In lieu of flowers, Jesus would have appreciated a plant, a small tree, or a monetary contribution to his wife, Evelyn.  She will give all donations to his chosen Native Tribe in his honor.

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