Julian Ernesto Balderas

Ever since we were handed our little boy in our arms he has brought joy to our world. So many people were happy of our little boy's birth... "The Balderas name will be carried on" they said. He immediately brought happiness into this world. He carried the names of strong men that came before him. He was a warrior of life, always trying to make this world a better place for all us. Since a little boy he knew what he wanted to do and didn't let anyone tell him different. He had a plan for life and he followed it to a tee, from completing high school in 3 years to registering for college before he even turned 17. He was going to soar. We all know our children and wonderful human beings because they are ours...but when you start hearing other people tell you how good and kind hearted your kids are, that's when you know that you did something right.

He was a wonderful brother, always looked out for his brother and sisters. He had planned to always be there for them. He would tell me, "mom, you're not gonna have to worry about Jennie, Alex or Sarina, when I get older and have my good job I"m going to take care of them". He would always joke about wanting to adopt his little sister that was 12 years younger than him. He said that we were too old to be taking care of her and that he would raise her. His life was always dedicated to care for others. When his older sister Jennie became pregnant he made it very clear that he wanted to be the Godfather to the child that was on the way. He immediately wanted the responsibility without thinking much about it. When his niece was born he was granted that request and he became her Godfather. He always had a loving heart and it was reflected on the love that he showed us all.

Julian had a brilliant mind. He was able to fix things and figure out certain problems with such an ease. From building his own computer by the age of about 14 to fixing my washing machine to fixing daddy's car. He could see someone do something and pick up on it very easily.

Julian was a full time student at Texas A&M Commerce, where he became a member of the LAMP community. A wonderful organization of Latin American students. He did a lot of volunteer work with them and guided a lot of students in the right direction. He had just recently advanced to Mentor and was very excited to start that chapter in his life.

Julian was very humble, he took pride in what we had to offer him and never asked for more than what could be given to him.

Julian loved to travel and loved to explore different places and try different foods. He said that we needed to experience life to the fullest. "I'm not sure if I"ll like it" he would say "but let me try". He was definitely a food junkie. He had even named his stomach..."mom, meet Kromitor" he told me one day "what?" I said, "he is the voice, inside my stomach, he tells me whether I should eat certain things or not" I just laughed at him. So every time he knew that he had had enough to eat he would ask Kromitor if he could handle just a little more, and of course he would always defy him and eat anyways, then pay the price later.

Julian loved to travel, him and his siblings were always talking about where the next family vacation would be. He traveled on his own through different leadership programs to many different places but it wasn't until he traveled to Washington DC that he knew he wanted to join one of the 3 letter bureaus "aka the alphabet" as he would say. He had a lot of plans on traveling from Costa Rica, to Japan with his younger sister, to South Korea with his girlfriend to Paris with his momma. Even though he didn't get to full fill all of his wishes, we as his family will try our best travel the world and go everywhere he wanted to go and experience life for him.

Julian will be missed terribly by all who knew him. His gentle soul and kind words lifted a lot of spirits. May he continue watching over us from high above. As hard as it is to say goodbye for now, we know deep in our hearts that God will reunite us one day. He had faith in God and all his glory, he carried prayer cards in his wallet and consistently looked to God for answers.

He is survived by his father Ernesto Balderas, his mother Veronica Balderas, his sisters Jenniezes Marie Balderas & Sarina Abigail Balderas, his brother Fabian Alejandro Balderas, his niece Sofia Vanessa Balderas, his paternal Grandmother Maria Luisa Balderas, his maternal Grandmother Maria de los Angeles Acevedo, his maternal Grandfather Simon Acevedo and his aunts and uncles and countless cousins.