On October 31, 2021 Jose (Jr) Balderas, at the age of 46 passed away in Helena, Montana. Jr was born in the town of Toppenish, Washington on October 23rd. He was the first born child to Martha E. Balderas and Jose H. Balderas Sr.
Jr was raised in Alvin, Texas along with his three siblings, Patty, Gina, and Juan. Jr was a very mischievous, adventurous, and curious child that has given his family and friends many memorable and funny stories to tell. When Jr was five he tried to fix a small black & white tube TV by inserting a butter knife in the back of the TV while it was still plugged in; sparks flew in the air while his sisters eagerly looked on! One time his mom found Jr and his sisters in the bedroom closet sharing a cigarette; they were 5, 4, and 2 years old! When Jr was 13, he and his close childhood friend, Oswaldo, put a vegetable can with a piece of metal lead in the microwave in hopes of melting it; his mom again had to stop them as lights and sparks were emitted from the microwave!
Jr was also very loving and caring. Jr loved to make peanut butter sandwiches and share them with the family pets. He constantly brought stray dogs’ home. One of his favorite things to do for his nieces and nephews’ birthdays or any celebration was to belt out El Grito Mexicano. He loved to tease those he loved! He liked to collect weird hot sauces and have his family try them out for his amusement.
As an adult, Jr loved to read books, watch Marvel movies (most of the time over and over and over again!), enjoyed listening to many genres of music, fishing, hiking in the mountains, cooking with the Instapot, grilling chicken, and playing video games with his family. He loved choosing crazy fireworks that made the loudest and most obnoxious whistles. He loved holiday music and played them the entire month of December and loved to make treats for Christmas. Some of his favorite songs were Lean on Me, Stand by Me, Last Kiss by Jay Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers.
Jose was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jose is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Juan L. Rodriguez and Juanita De La Cruz, paternal grandparents, Eusevio Balderas and Maria Elena Rodriguez, uncles, Juan Rodriguez Jr.,Eusebio Balderas Jr., and Elias Balderas, aunts, Herminia Balderas, and Enedelia Balderas,and cousin, Juan Rodriguez III.
Jose is survived by his partner, Amyjo Underkofler, children, Mason, Mary, Madeline and Micah Francks, parents, Jose Hector Sr. and Martha Elena Balderas, sisters, Patty (Adam) Boswell and Gina (Sachin) Raje, brother, Juan (Beatrice) Balderas, nieces Natalie and Anisha Raje, nephews, Arjun and Nicholas Raje and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Jr’s sudden passing will leave a lasting void in the hearts of those closest to him. He will be dearly missed and forever loved by his family and close friends.
A small private Memorial Service for family and close friends will be held in Alvin, TX in the near future.
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amyjo underkofler says
Last year Jose had gotten a bit of a stomach bug and slept for 16 hours. The rest of us had been up all day cleaning and whatever else we had to do. Jose got up at 9pm and was so excited he kept looking out the window saying he couldn’t wait for the storm. I had just gotten settled into bed for the night. He asked hey wanna make a big breakfast with me I’m starving. I was of course a bit confused. He told the boys to get ready they were gonna take the trash to the dump early before the storm hit. Not really understanding what he was on about they got ready giving me the what is going on look. He excitedly loaded up the trash and kept looking at the sky saying it’s gonna be the big storm today. He also kept commenting on how there was no traffic and when they are done they can play video games and maybe do tamales for dinner. The boys were exhausted from the day and thought he was losing his mind. Lol. Jose got home the boys went in their room and laid down. Jose came into our room and asked me why y’all so lazy this morning?? Let’s go do something fun. I laughed and told him at 9 at night?? He looked at his phone looked at me and said no it’s morning. It was in fact 9 pm. Lol we often teased him about doing it and he would laugh so hard cuz he really thought it was morning and it was dark because of a storm coming in lol. Jose was so quirky and funny. I love him so much. There is a huge hole in the house without his presence. I told him when we got together in 2017 it would be an adventure and we had many adventures. I shall miss him desperately on any future adventures. He was so loved by my family and his co workers. He touched so many people’s lives and I was always proud to be with him!!! :heart:
amyjo underkofler says
7 files added to the tribute wall
Natalie says
I remember when I was around 6-7 years old when I had gotten a bracelet kit. I didn’t know how to make one or even start one. Uncle Jr. said that he could make me one and he spent around 3 days making one. I think he had to go to work so he told me that he was able to make the bracelet halfway. He told me that the next time I visited Houston, he would finish it for me. Eventually, he moved to Montana and he never got the chance to finish it. I have had the bracelet ever since and now I am 15 years old. I will always miss Uncle Jr. and the bracelet he made me means everything to me.
amyjo underkofler says
:hearts::broken_heart:
Arjun says
I remember when me and Uncle Junior would spend hours playing a Lord of the Rings game, and also watching the movies. He got me into the whole series and books, a new world, he opened the door to my entertainment.
I also remember that he told me we’d go fishing and hunting together, unfortunately those days never came, but he inspired me to fish, and now, years later, I am very knowledgeable about fishing and it is one of my favorite hobbies.
Uncle Jr opened up a lot of hobbies for me and I wish we were able to spend more time together.
– Arjun Raje
Gina says
My brother, Jr. was a great storyteller. As his kid sister, he loved scary the hell out of me. I remember him telling me this one scary story. He was with our cousin Rocky and a few of Rocky’s cousins. The train tracks were right behind the house of our cousin’s house. They had gone to the train tracks to play and I believe to shoot the BB gun. He told me while they were on the tracks they could hear a lady crying. Faintly at first and then it got louder and louder. They were finally were able to make out what she was crying about. “Mi ninos!” As her cries got louder , she floated towards us, with open arms” Jr screeched. I was petrified as he continued with his encounter with La Llorona. “La Llorona was in front of us trying to reach us. Shoot at her someone yelled!” “So, I started shooting at her while the others threw rocks at her!” She touched someone’s arm! We ran the hell outta there!” Jr said with wide eyes. I absolutely believed him! Took me years to realize that he tricked me. It turned out to be a white plastic bag that was floating towards them! Hahaha
My brother was a great storyteller just like my dad. I will miss you bro!! Love you and until we meet again!!
Patty Boswell says
My brother Jr loved to play pranks and he got me good one time. Halloween was a favorite holiday for Jr and for all of us. So we carved a pumpkin and I put the tealight candle on the inside and lit it up. I took a picture of our creation and thought, it would look so much better if it glowed in the dark. So I asked Jr to turn off the light so I could get the perfect picture. He turns off the light and the kitchen is completely dark but I have my camera ready with the flash and take my shot. Well, as soon as I did and the camera flashed, I see Jr’s scary pose in the background!!! Lol, he got me pretty good I will admit!!! 😀
Patty Boswell says
My brother! Lol He got me good!
Juan Balderas says
My brother was always down to help. When I was in the market to buy a car that I liked I was hesitant because it was standard and I had no idea how to drive it home. So I called him up and asked if he could drive it home and teach me how to drive standard so I could use it. In the back roads of Alvin there he was teaching his little brother how to drive standard and before you knew it I was a pro. Till this day with his help I have no fear of getting behind the wheel of a car that is standard. Gonna miss ya bro. Wish we had more time.
Gina says
It’s creepy that the pumpkin looks just like Jr!! :flushed::joy:
Patty says
Lol! Isn’t that crazy! :smiley:
Amyjo Underkofler says
:hearts:
Amyjo Underkofler says
:hearts:
Amyjo Underkofler says
:hearts:
Amyjo Underkofler says
:heart:
Amyjo Underkofler says
:hearts: