On August 30th 2017 Piru lost one of its oldest residents.
Our dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and great-great grandpa Jesus “Chuy” Solis Zavala changed his address to heaven at the age of 97. He is now at peace with our Lord and Savior, and reunited with his beloved wife Ma. Luisa “Licha” Zavala. Jesus was born on October 20, 1919. At an early age he ventured to the United States. He visited many towns, but Piru was where he decided to settle. He met and married our mother Ma. Luisa Hernandez. and together they were blessed with eight children: Hess (Joy) Zavala, Victor Zavala, Gloria Davalos, Gabriel Zavala all of Piru, Gilbert (Irene) Zavala of Exeter, Tommy (Martha) Zavala of Fillmore, Rosie (Salvador) Hurtado of Piru and Martha (Steve) Hope of Fillmore.
Jesus is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 25 great- grandchildren, and 4 great- great grandchildren, with 3 more babies on the way.
Jesus was a good and hardworking man who loved and cared deeply about his family. He was most proud of the fact that there were 5 generations of Zavala’s.
Jesus had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, and write songs. He wrote a Corrido (a ballad in a traditional Mexican style, typically having lyrics that narrate a historical event) about his beloved town of Piru. Around the mid 50’s, when the Santa Felica Dam was being built. Any chance he got to sing his “Corrido De Piru” he would sing it. When dad would sing his Corrido, you could see and hear the love he had for his beloved town of Piru. Jesus had a thirst for knowledge and read continuously. He loved to debate any topic, and of course he was always right. He had a lot to say about history, and what he had experienced in life.
He was known for riding his beautiful horses, and would dress in his Charro suit and participate in parades around the county. He had many pets but he had some that were very dear to him. His horse “Nightshade”, his best friend and companion Chiquera his German Shepard, and most recently his cat Chiquito.
He was involved in many clubs through the years, The San Salvador Church Club, Piru Seniors, and the Fillmore Lions Club to name a few.
Jesus family would like to thank Janet and Kurt with Livingston. Also his many Caretakers over the years, especially Estela Vigil Aguilar, who loved Jesus like an “Abuelito”.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks to please donate to Fillmore Lions Club, or San Salvador Catholic Church in memory of Jesus “Chuy” Zavala.
Ending lyrics of Jesus’ “corrido de Piru”
“Ya me voy a despedir, ya me voy a retirar, este Corrido de Piru no se les vaya olvidar”
The recitation of the rosary will be held on Friday September 8, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at San Salvador Mission in Piru, CA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at San Salvador Mission Catholic Church on Saturday September 9, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Piru Cemetery.
For map and directions to ceremony locations and to sign the family’s online guestbook, share stories and post pictures please visit our website: www.santapaulafuneralhome.com and click on Jesus’s name located below “Recent Obituaries”.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned and Operated ROBERT REY GARCIA JR FUNERAL SERVICES, Santa Paula, CA 93060. 805.229.7054