Jesus Garcia Zavala

Jesus Zavala, born on June 14, 1923, in Hawthorne, California. During the Great Depression, he and his family moved to Mexico for 10 years where he as a preteen and his brothers worked to support the family. He met the love of his life Isabel Garcia and married her on December 9th, 1950, at the age of 27. 

He is survived by his family- 

Children: (from oldest to youngest) 

Gloria and husband Raul, Sylvia, Arthur and wife Lola, Albert and wife Yolanda, Gabriel and wife Margreth, and Ricky and wife Violet. 

Grandchildren: Nancy and husband Mars, Melissa and husband Joe, Raul III and wife Yolanda, Crystal and husband Ricardo, Andy and wife Damaris, Tony and wife Veronica, Natalie, Stephanie and husband Manny, Christian Michael and wife Luz, Sean and wife Jazmin, Darlene and Andrew, Hana and husband Viktor, and Aaron. 

Great Grandchildren: Monique and husband Aaron, Sasha, Noah and Diego, Belgini, Raul IV, Aiden, Abraham, Andrew, Angie, Lizbeth, Christian III, Caleb, and Penelope. 

Jesus’s only surviving sibling is Salvador Zavala and his wife Margarita. 

Jesus is loved by his wife Isabel’s family- the Garcias and kept in contact with them.

In 1965, he started studying the Bible with the study aid of the publication “God is love” and then “From Paradise Lost to Paradise Recovered.” Sylvia and Arthur joined in the study. Then later Isabel, Gloria, and Albert also joined in the Bible studies. 

Jesus, Isabel, Gloria and Sylvia all got baptized on May 4, 1968. In 1973 he was appointed as an elder. Jesus took to the truth seriously and loved Jehovah deeply. Because Jehovah moved his heart, Jesus did everything he could to keep his family on this course of life and set an example. He maintained family worship. The only thing that mattered to him was that his family stay united. He was hospitable and loved those in the congregation. 

His favorite scripture in regards to his fellow brothers and sisters was Zephaniah 3:9 -“serve him shoulder to shoulder.” To illustrate that unity, Jesus had the book study at his house for 22 years and would offer to take the group out in service in his Motor Home, “the Calypso.” The group would often spend long days in the ministry and would pullover by the beach or a park for lunch together, having a joyful time. He was a zealous preacher and had the privilege to serve with Isabel as a regular pioneer in the late 70s/80s. In 2023, when he was admitted to the hospital, he was writing letters to the 30 RVs he had. The nurse was curious as to whom he was writing to, and Jesus explained, “I’m writing to people about the Kingdom good news,” thus, he was able to informally witness to the nurse.

Jesus was a gifted freelance photographer contracted by magazines in the Los Angeles area and even had the opportunity to photograph celebrities from Mexico, but later Jesus used his talent and knowledge to document the historic activities as a photographer at the one full week International Convention back in 1967 or 1968 at the Pomona Fairgrounds. He also served in leading the First Aid department at the conventions held at the Dodgers stadium for several years. 

Secularly, he worked for the United States Steal for 35 years and retired at age 56. Jesus loved music of all sorts and enjoyed playing the guiro with musician family members. He was also known for making his famous salsa for hospitality. 

His continuous zeal and loyalty to Jehovah reminds us of Paul’s words in 2 Tim 4:7- “I have fought the fine fight, I have run the race to the finish, I have observed the faith.” 

Although Jehovah sees his friend Jesus alive in his memory, our father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother in the faith will be truly missed. As he falls into a deep sleep for a little while, we look forward to seeing him wake up, well rested and strong again. As he would always say “I’ll see you soon.”