Jaime Macías Estrada entered this world on April 27th, 1948, ready to make it a more interesting place. He could talk to anyone and weave intricate stories laced with detours and a touch of absurdity; photographed the land and sky; radiated with a love for music and books; and freely shared lessons from 75 years of life experiences. He “left” this world on June 18th, 2023 – we use quotations, because he made his mark on too many people and places to ever truly be gone.
Born in Nochistlán, Zacatecas, Mexico to Julia Macías Estrada and Gregorio Estrada and raised in Coalinga, CA, Jaime would also come to be known as “James” and “Jim.” He was a proud Horned Toad for Coalinga High School’s Class of 1967, lettering in basketball, baseball and football. He went on to study Spanish at Fresno State. During his time there, he joined a fraternity and later enjoyed golfing in their “Warthog Invitational.”
Jaime believed in earning everything by his own merit. He worked for The Fresno Bee, Whitehurst Funeral Home, the Huron Ice Plant, a fishing boat in Oregon, UC Farm Advisors, and eventually Fruit Fillings, Inc. as an incomparable salesman who helped build the company for 40 years.
Even though he was always on the move and traveled six continents, family came first to Jaime. He never failed to show up for a wedding, birthday, graduation, or doorstep when someone needed him. Jaime was a brother and father to many, never thinking twice about helping family; he had a huge heart that couldn’t give up on any of us. He also had a poetic soul; he carried a book everywhere he went, watched the full moon whenever she rose, collected leaves and rocks, grew cacti and succulents, and never said ‘no’ to ice cream.
Jaime is admired and dearly missed, survived by Michelle “The Green-Eyed Wench” Del Carlo-Estrada (wife), “Babbling” Brooke MacLaurin (daughter), Larisa “Miss Laris” J Del Carlo-Estrada (daughter), Daniel Estrada, Greg “G1” Estrada, Eliseo “Cheo” Estrada, Greg “G2” Estrada (brothers), Elisa Estrada, Alicia “Lulu Pie” Estrada (sisters), Lucas “Cool Hand Luke” MacLaurin (grandson), and many treasured nieces and nephews.
Jaime taught us that life gives us opportunities to be seized and celebrated every day. A toast, and “Happy Trails,” to Jaime.
A visitation for Jaime will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Estrada family.
