09-17-2023, 12:17 AM
There are people that come into your life that are rare one
of a kind special people, my uncle Humberto Jose would fall into that category.
He helped everyone. He was generous, thoughtful, kind and compassionate. He was
so smart. His plan was to major in history and literature. He started college
and got called to serve his country. He was a Marine during Vietnam. He didn’t
talk about his service much (until later) because he just did what he had to do.
Then he came home and was going to meet up with his girlfriend in San Diego but
that was not to be. His dad was sick and needed help with the business so my
uncle did what he had to do, he went home and helped his family.
He was so creative. He made all kinds of things out of wood.
He made birdfeeders with license plate roofs, he made all kinds of carts out of
wood, decorations for the garden such as ladders with branches, flower boxes, crates
and other fun stuff. He did get to be a teacher and a mentor to many young Anishinaabe, Chippewa, Dakota and
Sioux as well as others. Living on the reservation allowed my uncle to do great
work. My uncle didn’t get to finish college, but he taught anyway. He got his
heart broken initially but he met a good woman (the absolute best) and they had
37 years together. I am so happy that he was able to have such a beautiful
love.
My uncle was the best brother ever,
that’s what my mom says. He was an amazing uncle. I remember cruising in his 72
barracuda, that car could fly. He taught my brothers about being good men and
showing respect, working hard and loving those that were worthy. He taught his nieces and sisters to do good work, be kind and take no shit. He came to this
country with his family, learned a new language and worked hard but he never complained.
Celebrating his life showed the people he touched beyond his immediate family.
Lots of generations of tribal members came to pay their respects and share that
he kept multiple people from trouble as kids to becoming productive and happy
adults. So even though his life didn’t seem to go according to plan initially,
it worked out quite well and he made an impact. I am absolutely devastated by
the loss of this remarkable man. I have been going through my grandparents
house and found his trunk from Vietnam. It made me think about what he sacrificed
for others. He was always doing what needed to be done. We lost him because of
his service (medical chart confirmed agent orange exposure) but even at the
end, he was not angry. Days before he passed, he said life was good. He taught
me so much about doing what is right no matter what, holding true to your
values and convictions and being there for others. I love him so damn much and
I am going to miss him more that words can say. Rest in peace Uncle Humberto
and thank you so much for everything.
of a kind special people, my uncle Humberto Jose would fall into that category.
He helped everyone. He was generous, thoughtful, kind and compassionate. He was
so smart. His plan was to major in history and literature. He started college
and got called to serve his country. He was a Marine during Vietnam. He didn’t
talk about his service much (until later) because he just did what he had to do.
Then he came home and was going to meet up with his girlfriend in San Diego but
that was not to be. His dad was sick and needed help with the business so my
uncle did what he had to do, he went home and helped his family.
He was so creative. He made all kinds of things out of wood.
He made birdfeeders with license plate roofs, he made all kinds of carts out of
wood, decorations for the garden such as ladders with branches, flower boxes, crates
and other fun stuff. He did get to be a teacher and a mentor to many young Anishinaabe, Chippewa, Dakota and
Sioux as well as others. Living on the reservation allowed my uncle to do great
work. My uncle didn’t get to finish college, but he taught anyway. He got his
heart broken initially but he met a good woman (the absolute best) and they had
37 years together. I am so happy that he was able to have such a beautiful
love.
My uncle was the best brother ever,
that’s what my mom says. He was an amazing uncle. I remember cruising in his 72
barracuda, that car could fly. He taught my brothers about being good men and
showing respect, working hard and loving those that were worthy. He taught his nieces and sisters to do good work, be kind and take no shit. He came to this
country with his family, learned a new language and worked hard but he never complained.
Celebrating his life showed the people he touched beyond his immediate family.
Lots of generations of tribal members came to pay their respects and share that
he kept multiple people from trouble as kids to becoming productive and happy
adults. So even though his life didn’t seem to go according to plan initially,
it worked out quite well and he made an impact. I am absolutely devastated by
the loss of this remarkable man. I have been going through my grandparents
house and found his trunk from Vietnam. It made me think about what he sacrificed
for others. He was always doing what needed to be done. We lost him because of
his service (medical chart confirmed agent orange exposure) but even at the
end, he was not angry. Days before he passed, he said life was good. He taught
me so much about doing what is right no matter what, holding true to your
values and convictions and being there for others. I love him so damn much and
I am going to miss him more that words can say. Rest in peace Uncle Humberto
and thank you so much for everything.
