- Date Of Birth: December 3, 1973
- Date Of Death: October 9, 2016
- State: New Mexico
Jesus Sarmiento Carrillo was born on December 3, 1973 in Chihuahua, CH. Mexico to Francisco Sarmiento & Victoria Carrillo Sarmiento. He was the second to the last child of six siblings (3 brothers & 3 sisters): Martha Sarmiento, MarAa Dolores Sarmiento, Irene Sarmiento, RamA³n Sarmiento, Manuel Sarmiento, & Javier Sarmiento. In Mexico, after completing middle school and doing some high school, Jesus began working as a restaurant chef. He later moved to the United States in 1996. After a short time in Phoenix, AZ, he moved to Albuquerque, NM and worked at Furr’s Cafeteria where he met his wife, Susy Sarmiento. They married on January 8, 1998 through the civil court and on May 2, 1998 they married through the church. They had four children: Lorenzo SA¡nchez, Araceli Sarmiento, Mariely Sarmiento, and Emilio Sarmiento.
After working many years as a cook in different restaurants, Jesus decided he wanted a change in career. He began studying his GED books from the community college at home every night after his second job and eventually took the test and passed. He then decided he wanted to be a truck driver to increase his income and not have to work two jobs. And so he checked out a CDL book from the local MVD office, taught himself the manual, and proceeded to rent a truck in order to learn how to drive them. He took his CDL test and passed. He switched jobs almost immediately and began as a truck driver for a small company. Soon after, he became a Teamsters Brother as a local truck driver for first Yellow Freight, Inc. and then ABF Freight, his recent place of employment until October 10, 2015, the day before his diagnosis.
Jesus’s desire to move ahead in life continued and as soon as his five years as a U.S Resident came he began studying for his citizenship exam in the evenings after work. He signed up for the exam and became a US Citizen in 2004. During the recession, after a layoff from Yellow Freight, he decided to accomplish his childhood dream of going to school. He registered at the local community college first for ESL classes, then computer courses. After two years, he obtained 3 Associate’s Degrees from CNM. He then transferred to UNM where in 2013 he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology. He graduated summa cum laude with a 4.10 GPA.
In October, 2015 Jesus was tragically diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer already metastasized to the bones, lymph nodes and eyes. As much as he fought to stay on this Earth to see his children grow, the Lord took him to be in Heaven with Him and Jesus was never afraid of that. We won’t say that he “lost his battle to cancer,” but rather, we’ll say that “he won his entrance to the Gates of Heaven” as Jesus has always been a winner!
Jesus was a humble, hardworking man who was always determined to succeed. Above all, he always held God above all. He and his family are members of the Holy Rosary Parish community in Albuquerque, NM. Those who had the pleasure of meeting him know he was a simple but very funny man. His selflessness was something to admire; he always gave as much as he could without expecting anything in return. His favorite phrase, “Do you need it or do you want it?” exemplifies just how humble he was. If there is one piece of advice he would give, it is that in order to achieve all your goals, you must keep God close, work hard and never give up. “Give it your all!”
Jesus will always be remembered as a kind-hearted man, devoted husband, loving father and a caring friend to all.
Jesus’ Life Celebration will begin with a Rosary on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary located on 5415 Fortuna Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87105.
