Brigido "Jerry" De La Fuente

Brigido was born on October 8, 1953, to Catarino and Narcisa De La Fuente in Sinton, Texas. He moved to Hobbs, New Mexico at 15 years old where he met the love of his life, Rosa Linda Bermea, at a Hobbs High School football game. Brigido married Rosa, and remained in Hobbs, New Mexico where they raised their six children.

Brigido worked as a mechanic in his early years after graduating from Pomona Technical College. While attending school, he provided for his family by playing pool at local establishments, where he became well known. Brigido was introduced to the sport of bowling while working at the Bel-Aire Exxon. Later, he was employed at Montgomery Ward and eventually decided to open Jerry's Auto Mechanic in 1983. He introduced the sport of bowling to his six children and passed down his knowledge and love of the sport to them.

He was a baseball coach to his son's. He enjoyed fishing at every opportunity he was given, especially around the Corpus Christi, Texas area. He loved to travel and visit various casinos along the way and even out the way. He always said, "there is something wrong with my car since it pulls to the right towards the casino."

He was passionate about gardening and being the family handyman; there was not a fix he couldn't find.

Brigido enjoyed watching and cheering for his NFL football team, the San Francisco 49'ers. As a sports fan, he enjoyed going to baseball and football games. He never met a stranger and was cherished by all those who knew him.

Brigido held the family's highest bowling score of 289 for many years until it was tied by his eldest son. He never missed an opportunity to participate in a bowling tournament or a bowling event with his family. Brigido was known as "Pops" to the bowling community.

Brigido attended numerous bowling tournaments with his family in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada at the National Bowling Tournament. He continued to bowl until the last three weeks prior to his death.

Brigido resided in Hobbs, New Mexico until he moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2020 for cancer treatment at Mayo Clinic. While in Phoenix, Brigido made numerous friends everywhere he went.

Brigido was a member of the Lea County United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and the Phoenix Metro USBC. He attended St. Helena's Catholic Church in Hobbs, New Mexico.

He is survived by his wife, Rosa Linda De La Fuente and his six children, Sonya (Juan Carlos) Rodriguez of Phoenix, Arizona, Brigido Jerry De La Fuente of Medford, Oregon, Antonio De La Fuente of Hobbs, New Mexico, Samuel "Sam" De La Fuente of Phoenix, Arizona, Fernando De La Fuente of Hobbs, New Mexico, and Euffie (Michael Anthony) Hernandez of Phoenix, Arizona. He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren to honor and cherish his memory.

Brigido was preceded in death by his parents Catarino and Narcisa De La Fuente, his four siblings: Antonio, Leonardo, Merced De La Fuente, and Maria del Carmen Alvarez; also, his nephew Catarino De La Fuente III and his niece Antonia Alvarez.