Jesse Montes, Sr.

Jesse Montes, Sr., 83, passed on December 19, 2023 after his poor body could not fight any longer. He fought until the very end.

Jesse was born to Thomas Montes and Anterria Garcia in Pecos, Texas on September 9, 1940. However, for most of his life he celebrated on September 29,1939, making him a year older. Why he never accepted his legal birthdate we’ll never know. To this day we celebrate both because he liked being celebrated.

Jesse was the oldest son of eight. He left Texas at a young age and traveled the US to find work. He eventually made it to Clovis California where he met his green -eyed girl, Juanita Pena. They wed in 1960 and from this union they had four children.

He moved the family to Des Moines, Iowa where he worked for the Des Moines Register for approximately 26 years, and retired when it was bought out by Gannett. He loved working for the Register and made many friends and acquaintances. Jesse never knew a stranger and was liked by all who knew him. He was young at heart and lived his life to the fullest; fishing, gambling, golfing and being with his family when his body allowed.

He divorced Juanita, in 1980 and she moved the family back to Clovis where he then became a long- distance dad. He visited whenever he could and stayed in contact with his children as dads do.

He later married Teresa McAfee Montes and they later divorced in 2002. In 2002, he realized he wanted to reunite his family with his green -eyed girl and moved back to California to court Juanita and win her over, which he did. She later retired and they decided to move back to Iowa for their remaining years.

Jesse is survived by his children, Sandra Rivas (Brandon), Alice Bassett (Bill Walsh), Jesse Montes, Jr (Lisbeth), Monica Morgan (Bryan Wiegand); grandchildren, Rylee Bassett, Keny Bassett, Makena Tomlinson (Josh), Jasper Montes (Sierra), Corey Montes (Austin Morris), and Ashley Rivas; four great- grandchildren, Asher Montes, Robyn Montes, Nathan Tomlinson and Connor Tomlinson; and many other family members and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wives, Juanita Montes, Teresa McAfee Montes, sister, Mae Salgado, and brother, Thomas Montes.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation held one hour prior.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Jesse and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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