Mr. Ambrosio "Bocho" Barajas' Obituary
Ambrosio Barajas, 87, affectionately known as "Papi Bocho" went to be with his Savior and Lord on Monday July 20, 2015. He was born in Linares, Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico on March 26, 1928 to Damasio Barajas and Guadalupe Parra. Sadly his mother passed away when he was only five years old but he was blessed to be raised by his stepmother Santos Maldonado whom he adored and revered. Ambrosio "Bocho" lovingly called his home town "la tierra de Dios" meaning God's land. It was in Linares that he met the love of his life Maria de Jesus Rivera who he adoringly referred to as "la Chiquilla" the little one because she was so petite. They were married on November 26, 1949 and had six children. The first three children Joe, Ismael and Mike were born in Mexico. Seeking a better life for his family, "Bocho" and his wife and young children immigrated to the United States, eventually settling in Houston, Texas. There they would have three more children, Marisela, Rosemary and Steve. "Bocho" did not have a formal education because he had to work as a child to help support his family. But he was a brilliant man. He worked hard and never let up. Very early in his life he yearned to learn a trade that could help him get ahead. In 1940, as a young boy in Mexico around the age of twelve "Bocho" began his apprenticeship as a tailor in a shop where he was first hired to sweep floors. He would go on to become a Master Tailor. His chosen profession served him well. In Houston, he found work in many of the major downtown department stores at the time including Battlestein's, Foley's and Sakowitz. A great tailor "Bocho" understood that clothing can help make a man. He knew a lot about style and was a very sharp dresser. Despite his limited income, he took advantage of employee discounts he was given to buy and wear really nice suits, shoes, ties, and when the weather warranted it, top coat and hat. A handsome man with tailor made fitting clothes, he always managed to look like a million bucks. But it was his good heart and warm personality that really won you over. In Houston's Second Ward neighborhood, the family lived in a modest duplex rental house. "Bocho's" children were always so happy and proud to see their dashing good looking Dad return home after a hard day's work, wearing a suit that made him look like the company CEO. In order to earn extra income "Bocho" also bought Men's clothing wholesale and sold it door to door in the evenings and on the weekends. He was a natural born salesman, with a wit and charm that helped him close the sale with customers. Customers who later became his friends. Despite his modest income Bocho cared for not only his wife and six children, but he provided financial assistance to his parents and his mother in law Paula Orozco. He provided money for his sister Paulina and his step sister Maria del Roble and helped pay for Maria's college tuition. He constantly showed his children how to care for others and reminded them that you have to work hard "para salir adelante" to get ahead in life. He was a gifted people person who constantly reminded his children to be kind to others with his little refrain "It's nice, to be nice." At family gatherings and parties, he was the life of the party. He worked hard, but he also knew how to relax and he loved dancing with his wife Maria. They were always among the best dancers on the dance floor. Eventually "Bocho" decided he wanted to have a business of his own and opened Duval Tailors. He operated it out of his home. The living room and adjoining garage became the tailor shop and "Bocho" and his family lived in the back rooms of the house. The family grew up and eventually his four sons and two daughters went off to school and work, married and had children of their own. The grandchildren and great grandchildren bestowed the name "Papi Bocho" on their loving grandfather who often reminded them in his accented English "I love you goddammit." But it was never in a profane way, it was just his quaint way of adding extra emphasis to his expression of love. Always kind to his children, "Bocho" could never bring himself to be a strict disciplinarian. If there was misbehavior that needed to be addressed he couldn't bear having to spank or otherwise punish the kids. So he let Mom handle it. It was the classic "Good Cop, Bad Cop" routine and it worked well. The children stayed out of trouble and went on to have productive lives. This was "Papi Bocho's" proudest achievement. That his family had prospered so much in their new home country the United States of America. Bocho is survived by his loving wife Maria, his six children, Joe and his wife Velma, Ismael and his former wife Tanya Elizondo, Mike and his wife Sylvia, Marisela and her former husband Laurence Salinas, Rosemary and her husband Gabe Guzman, Steve and his wife Irma. His grandchildren, Vincent Barajas, Michael Anthony Barajas and wife Elizabeth, Danny Barajas, Erik Barajas and wife Courtney, Omar Barajas and wife Fanny, Bianca Barajas, Mike Alexander Barajas wife Lanna, Bill Barajas, John Paul Barajas, Ricardo Salinas, Marisa Guzman, Gabriel Guzman, Steven Fernando Barajas, Claudia Barajas, and Joaquin Barajas. Great grandchildren, Anthony Michael Barajas, Gavin Barajas, Kole Barajas, Jade Leauvano, Sabrina Barajas, Timothy Pylant, Sophia Barajas and Mike Cristian Barajas. The family will be present to receive friends on Thursday evening, July 23, 2015 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm with a Rosary being recited at 7:00pm in the Chapel of SouthPark Funeral Home, 1310 North Main St. Pearland, TX 77581 The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 1:45pm at SouthPark Funeral Home. Burial will immediately follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, TX. A reception with the family will be held from 4:00pm until 6:00pm in the Reception Hall of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062.
What’s your fondest memory of Ambrosio?
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Share a story where Ambrosio's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ambrosio you’ll never forget.
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