Jesse Navarro

Jesse Robert "Bob" Navarro, 89, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 in Christus St. Patrick Hospital. Jesse was born on December 20, 1925 in Aurora, Illinois to Bibiano Jr. and Carmen Navarro. Bob was a devout Catholic and member of St. Margaret Catholic Church. He spent his childhood in Aurora, Illinois and joined the United States Navy after high school at the young age of 17 serving aboard the USS Pamanset. His tour during World War II included many epic Pacific engagements, including Iwo Jima naval support and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He witnessed the Japanese surrender on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Like so many of his generation he was far too humble to want mention of any of these events, but this should never be forgotten, so I guess I'm in trouble now. He is preceded in death by wife of 50 years, Phyllis Schwartz Navarro and son, Daniel Jesse Navarro. Survivors include two daughters, Jane and husband Warren Thomas of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Peggy Heidemann of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one grandchild, Cole Michael Thomas. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 PM Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Cathedral Immaculate Conception with Father Ruben Buller serving as celebrant. Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Burial will take place at Mount Olivet cemetery in Aurora, Illinois, with a graveside service at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cathedral Immaculate Conception.