Jesús "Chey" Escamilla

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jesús (Chey) Escamilla of Boulder, Colorado.  Chey went to be with his Lord and Savior on October 10, 2023, at the age of sixty-seven. Chey was born on July 17, 1956, in Kalamazoo, MI. He was the son of Jose and Jesusita Escamilla. Chey had a beautiful soul, and he had a special bond with each of his brothers and sisters. Chey was filled with generosity, love, and kindness, and would give the shirt off his back for any of his siblings. We were truly blessed to call him our brother.

Chey will be lovingly remembered for his funny and quick-wit personality. He was a graduate of Vicksburg High School and was well liked in high school. One vivid memory was his graduation day in 1975. When Chey’s name was called to accept his diploma, he was greeted by a sudden thunderous roar of peers stomping the wood floor of the gym and standing for a personal ovation. After high school, Chey began his journey to explore the country. He traveled and lived in many parts of the country from Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Hawaii to wherever the Lord guided him. In his travels, Chey shared his devotion to the Bible and taught the Word of the Lord.  One expression Chey said daily was “Praise the Lord.” 

Chey lived in Israel for several years studying and exploring biblical scripture to better understand his Lord, the Bible, and Christian and Jewish life and practices. He was a seeker, and Chey will be remembered as one who believed and lived Jesus’ instruction, “Come, follow me”.  Chey dedicated his life to his ministry, his religious studies and living a gentle and humble life.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Jose and Jesusita Escamilla; baby sister, Elena; one brother, Ricardo; and two brothers-in-law, Thomas Kelley, and Ramah “Ray” Shearer. Jesus is survived by his nine siblings: Victoria Kelley, of Three Rivers; Maria Lydia (Muhammed) Ali, of Portage; Esequiel Escamilla, of Kalamazoo; Jose Escamilla Jr., of Benton Harbor; Estella Shearer, of Vicksburg; Adalia (Dan) Martin, of Schoolcraft; Teresa (Rudy) Ruelas, of Traverse City; Alejandro Escamilla, of Chicago, IL; and Adolfo (Marie) Escamilla, of Portage. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Vicksburg. While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com, please take time to visit Chey’s webpage to sign his guestbook and share your favorite memory with the family. 

The Escamilla family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Second Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.