Jesus Villelas Maldonado, 95, of Tucson, AZ, passed away on Tuesday April 21, 2020 at his home.  He was married to Helen Paz Maldonado for 72 years at the time of his death. Born September 1, 1924 in Mesa, AZ, he was the son of Ramon Escalante Maldonado and Refugia Villelas Maldonado.

He served in the US Army Air Force during WWII and flew with the 845th Bomb Squadron in Europe as a ball turret gunner on a B-24. He was stationed in England and flew missions over Norway and the  Netherlands. After the war he joined the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ.  He lived and worked throughout the entire Southwest, including the White Sands and Green River missile ranges and on experimental aircrafts at Edwards Airforce base. He finally settled down with his family in Tucson, AZ in 1974 and retired early in the 1980's.  But he was never one to take it slow and quickly took on a job at the U.S. Forest Service at Sabino Canyon in the late 1980s and worked there for over 21 years, retiring again at the age of 81. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight within the Knights of Columbus where he was a member in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Jesus lived a very full and happy life filling his time woodworking, reading, and following his favorite sports teams the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Diamondbacks and University of Arizona teams. He enjoyed live music and dancing with his wife, Helen, taking photographs and traveling with his family. He had a great sense of humor and loved joking around with everyone, especially his friends and family.

In addition to his wife Helen, Jesus is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Margo and C.J. McCarter of Hayward, CA; his son and daughter-in-law; Rene and Cathy Maldonado of Tucson, AZ; his son and daughter-in-law; Ron and Karen Maldonado of Window Rock, AZ; and son Michael Maldonado and his partner Erika Robles of Tucson, AZ. He is also survived by his grandchildren, grandson and grand daughter-in-law Nicholas Valenzuela and Jamie Staugler of Brooklyn, NY; granddaughter Dionne Maldonado of Window Rock, AZ; granddaughter Catherine Maldonado of Somerville, MA; Dylan Maldonado of Somerville, MA; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Alyssa Mansuetti and Robert Masuetti of Peoria, AZ; great grandson's Trevor Foster and Shane Fabina.

He was preceded in death by his sister Petra Rodriguez; brother Juan Maldonado; sister Mary Franks; and brother Joe Maldonado.

Due to COVID-19 services will be private.  A larger service will be held at a later date for all to attend. If you have any photos or stories that you would like share of Jesus please send to nicholas.av@gmail.com

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a live streaming may be viewed with the following link.

https://youtu.be/zbrPetdqzbU