Jesus Jose Carbajal Carmona passed from this life, July 15th, in a tragic car accident, at the age of 18. His short time here touched many lives in our community and beyond. I called him Lil Mona, but mostly I called him Son. Whatever you called him, you knew he was your friend. He had such a positive impact on a vast amount of people. His friendships crossed over many different “barriers” and “la
bels.” Jesus and Jesse started an Anti-bullying Coalition at Frederick High School. They saw the value of what a positive impact could be made at school and in life, if everyone treated each other with respect and embraced each other’s differences. Their Principal, Pete Vargas, taught them a motto “As One”, and in that belief, leading by example, they did their best to make that ring true for every student. Jesus was a talented young man. He was an amazing artist that had such a bright future ahead. He was always working on drawings for his portfolio, which he had hoped would help him receive a scholarship to an art college. He painted murals for Frederick High School, which will be hung in tribute to him when the new school year begins. He also loved football, baseball, camping outdoors and tubing in Lyons. He loved being with his friends just hanging out, playing video games and cracking jokes. I think his favorite was having friends come to bon fires he would have at his house. His love of family was undeniable. He spoke often of his mother, Grace and dad, Omar, always in such high regard. He said on more than one occasion, “(Grace) is the most loving mother in the world.” He was so thankful Omar had come into their lives when he did. Jesus said, “He straightened the path that I was going down, made me see how I could become a better person.” He loved his brothers and sisters and was very supportive and protective of them. He always worked hard to make them all proud. He was so excited that he and his dad had just recently been hired as construction workers. His family had fallen on hard times and Jesus felt he would be able to help them get back on their feet and not have to struggle so hard. He had made plans that after the family had been taken care of; he would finally purchase the Jeep he had only been able to dream about before, and maybe even move out on his own with Jesse, Sabrina and Yamilex. All of his dreams and his families’ dreams, for their precious son, were taken away in an instant. A driver that was too tired to drive and Jesus not buckling up cost him his life. His family made a loving request to all of his friends and friends of their friends to please wear your seat belt every time you get in a vehicle. I also have a request, please never let someone drive that is too tired, it is the same as being drunk. A Memorial Fund has been set up in his name at US Bank, the account name: Friends of Jesus Carmona. This will allow you to give donations to help his family offset the costs of laying their Beloved Son to rest. Once all related costs have been paid the fund will turn into a Scholarship which will be given out to one male and one female student, who show the same qualities in his/her heart as Jesus. They must have passion for art, in drawing, painting and or video production. They will also need to exhibit qualities and drive that represent a true Frederick Warrior, to be “As One.”
