Jacob Robert Najera Obituary (1975 - 2011)

Jacob Robert Najera, age 36, much loved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend, passed away December 1, 2011. He was born August 26, 1975 in El Paso, TX to Margarito Najera and Margie Christensen. Jacob grew up in El Paso, TX and graduated from Eastwood High School in 1993. Upon graduating from high school he moved to Lubbock, TX to attend Texas Tech to major in Political Science to fulfill his long lived dream to run for President. He loved history and politics and was very passionate about fighting for the issues important to him. Jacob pledged for the Omega Delta Phi fraternity to gain experience in politics and was very active with organizing and running this fraternity, forming a strong brotherhood with all of the fraternity brothers. Jacob moved to Utah in 2002 to be closer to his faith as an LDS member. He attended Southern Utah University and University of Utah where he graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2008. Jacob was born with Cerebral Palsy and has shown amazing strength and courage throughout his life, especially during his battle with Aplastic Anemia this past year that we found ourselves many times in awe of his courageous character. He has always fought hard while keeping his spirits high and is known by all his friends and family to always have a smile on his face. Although this is a very painful time for us, we seek peace in knowing he is now free to live the life he only dreamed about but was limited with the many challenges of his disability. We now imagine him with our Heavenly Father running and dancing with no more pain and suffering. Our Heavenly Father blessed us with an Angel and has now called him home to serve. Thank you to everyone for all the prayers and support over the last 12 months. A very special thanks to all those who have helped Jacob throughout his journey as well as the medical staff at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. Jacob is survived, and will be lovingly remembered, by his parents, Margie Christensen and Margarito Najera, and his brothers and sisters, Melissa Rascon, Jesse Najera, Jason Najera, and Monica Reno, and his nieces and nephew, Jesenia Najera, Alexis Roddy, Taylor Roddy, Ava Reno, and Anthony Najera . A viewing will be held Sunday, December 4, 2011, 6:00-8:00 PM at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway,(10600 So.) South Jordan, UT. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM, at the River Oaks Chapel, 8825 South 1300 West, West Jordan, UT. Interment, West Jordan City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Chase Bank in memory of Jacob Najera c/o Cody Reno.