Jesse Anthony Madaffari

Jess Anthony Madaffari,Sr. was born November 14, 1928 in Beaumont, Texas to Mario and Victoria Madaffari. After a short time in Donna, Texas, the family relocated to Santa Rosa, Texas where Jess attended Santa Rosa schools until being employed by Valley Implement John Deere Company in 1947. He met and married his lifelong love, Elvie Ann (Ann) Gray, on October 21, 1951. He answered his country’s call to duty in 1952 and served in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. Ann was able to join him and travel many parts of Eastern Europe during this time. They returned to their home in Santa Rosa in 1954 and started their family. God blessed them with 2 sons and 4 daughters.

Jess loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was always available to help everyone he met and never met a stranger. He was an embodiment of loving God, family, and his neighbors. He will be deeply and greatly missed. He was always planning the next “barn” gathering, and was currently in the process of planning his 95th birthday celebration when God called him home.

He is survived by his loving wife Ann Madaffari, son Jesse Madaffari Jr. (JoAnn) of Skiatook, OK., daughters Phyllis Madaffari of La Feria, TX, Teresa Stuessy (Riles) of Lyford, TX, Debbie Gopffarth (Rick) of Keller, TX, 11 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and his sister Natalie Hayes of Tyler, TX. He was preceded in death by parents Mario and Victoria, brother Joseph Madaffari, sisters Joyce Sanfilippo and Rosemary Lievens, son Stephen, daughter Susan, and granddaughter Angie.

Pallbearers for the service are grandsons Jayson Hough, Michael Madaffari, Anthony Garza, Kal Steussy, Kreigh Steussy, Cameron Madaffari, Edgar Barajas, Jr., George Hinojosa, Joshua Barajas, and Anthony Garza, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers include all the great grandchildren.

A sincere thank you goes out to all family and friends for their love and support during this time of transition.

A visitation for Jesse will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A rosary will occur Friday, September 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Santa Rosa, TX. A burial will occur Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Heavenly Grace Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heavenlygracergv.com for the Madaffari family.