Jesse Hernandez Vargas Sr.

Jesse Hernandez Vargas, Sr., 90, of West Fargo, ND, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, under the care of his loving family.

Jesse was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1934, in Crystal City, TX, to Francisco and Gregoria (Hernandez) Vargas.  At a young age, the family moved to North Dakota where Jesse attended school in both Durbin and Fargo, ND.  Jesse worked in the fields where he met the love of his life, Juanita.  Jesse married Juanita Perez Sr. on July 29, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. A marriage that would last for over 68 years, and brought Jesse and Juanita, 4 beautiful children.  As a family, they made their home in Fargo and later, West Fargo in the 1970’s. Jesse worked various construction jobs before starting with Kmart in south Fargo, where he worked for 33 years.  

Jesse was thankful for the experiences he had at many camps when he was a boy, including the YMCA, Bible camps, and the Boy Scouts.  He also enjoyed playing hockey and ice skating.

Jesse is survived by his wife of over 68 years, Juanita; 3 children, Jesse (Sherry) Vargas (Fargo, ND), Frank (Mary) Vargas (Phoenix, AZ), and Rosalinda (Wayne) Vargas-Schultz (West Fargo, ND). He is also survived by 1 grandchild, Arden “AJ” (Lacey) Johnson; and 1 great-grandchild, Alina. Jesse is also survived by his son-in-law, Larry Bondley;  siblings, Trinidad (Dorothy) Vargas (Devils Lake, ND), John Vargas (Phoenix, AZ), Margaret (Tim) Mautz (Vallejo, CA), Linda (Duane) Jensen (Vallejo, CA), Francisco Vargas (Madalia, MN), and Tony (Sue) Vargas (Salt Lake City, UT), along with many other family members and friends. 

Jesse is preceded in death by his daughter, Juanita Bondley; both parents, Fracisco and Gregoria; brothers, Dimetro and Reuben; and two infant siblings. He is also preceded in passing by his sister-in-law, Dorothy Vargas and his brother-in-law, Duane Jensen.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jesse will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 11:00am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo, ND. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to Mass with a time for fellowship and lunch to follow.  Father Gary Luiten will be presiding.

Mass: 11:00am, Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, West Fargo, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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