Ysabel "Chico" Jose Alcantar

On Friday, June 18, Ysabel “Chico” Alcantar, passed away at age 82.Chico was born on December 25, 1938 in El Paso, TX to Ysabel and Manuela Alcantar.

He was a proud veteran, serving with the U.S. Air Force. In 1963 he married Geraldine and had four beautiful children. In 1988 Chico and Kay married after years of courtship, in which he gained three stepsons. Chico retired from Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel and had a passion for upholstery, if you are in the Des Moines area chances are you experienced some of his work. Chico was strong-willed and when threatened with the potential loss of his wife Kay to cancer, he went and climbed Crysto Rey Mountain barefoot in pilgrimage. When cancer then affected his daughter Lisa many years later he took on the pilgrimage again for her.

Chico was an avid bowler, once scoring a perfect 300 game. He was a card player, primarily the game Hand and Foot and would play with anyone who would sit down. He loved entertaining and making Mexican food for the family. And if he wasn’t making Mexican food, he was eating it at all the Mexican restaurants. He would never say no to good Mexican food. He also had an affinity to sweets, most of the time hiding them from Kay. Chico enjoyed traveling near and far, some of his favorite trips include going to London, Dubai and many tropical cruises. And after retirement Kay and Chico became snow birds and bought a place in Arizona, they spent many winters with their friends enjoying the warm weather.

He was a kind, thoughtful, caring man, who loved his friends and family so much. He never knew a stranger and was always trying to make people smile. He will be missed greatly.

Chico was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eugenio and Arturo; sister, Consuelo; and his daughter, Lisa.

He is survived by his wife, Kay; his three children, Gerald (Julia), Michelle (Mike), Dan (Tom); three stepsons, Kelly, Marty (Lori) and Tim (Tina); brother, Arcadio; and sisters, Alicia and Aurora; 14 grandchildren, Nicole (Nick), Chad, Ashley (Joe), Sammi (Joey), Kyle, Ryan (Libby), Michelle (Levi), Gage, Kylie, Hunter, Carson, Chelsey (Austin), Ben, and Joey; 12 great grandchildren, Kaden, Adelyn, Natalie, Aaron, Jackson, Nina, Cormac, Jude, Sophia, Maddie, Micah, and Ryker; and many more friends and family.

Memorials can be directed to the family or Lutheran Church of the Cross.

Print