Dad, yesterday marked the 2-year mark. In some ways it seems like you've been gone 2 years and in other ways, it's like it happened yesterday. I remember, as a kid, my worst fear was that you'd die someday. I didn't know how I could live without you, and here I am, trying to do just that. You are and will always be my inspiration for living right. Admittedly, I struggle to live up to your example, but I try.

You were filled with and exuded goodness--warmth, compassion, determination, generosity, wisdom, patience, love...without fail. You changed people's lives with your example, your time and your efforts to help and guide others--beautiful gifts of the heart. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I wish it was with gratitude and happiness only, because I was the luckiest girl in the world to be your daughter, but I'm afraid I'm still in mourning. It's been tough with your passing and Mom's 7 months later. My heart was broken and hasn't fully healed. But, I'll get there. It gets a little easier every day.

I wish you could see your great-grandkids. They're WONDERFUL in every way and a true reflection of your legacy. Russ, Taylor, Adam and Sierra also remind me of you--they absorbed many of your qualities and it shows.

You told me about the 4 deaths in Mexican folklore--the first being when the heart stops beating, the second when the soul leaves the body, the third when the body is lowered into the ground and the fourth and final death, when no one says your name. Dad, you will never suffer the fourth death. Your name is in my first 2 books and the father & grandfather characters are modeled after you. And more importantly, your spirit is in our hearts. Stories about how you influenced lives for the better will live on.

Te amo ahora y siempre.

Lito, I miss you terribly. How many people can truly say that their father-in-law was such a positive role model and an inspiration in their life? You were so wise, well-read and accomplished, yet so humble. You were kind to everyone. I am so blessed to have had you in my life.
I love eternally, Russ

There aren’t words to describe the holes in our hearts you have left behind. All the little things remind me of you, Lito.

An older gentleman played Cielito Lindo on his guitar at the Waterfront Center the other day, and I immediately burst into tears and sang along. He then invited me up to sing and with him, and I told him about you and our love of singing together. Thank you for everything, but especially for instilling your love of music in me. I will do my best to keep the musical legacy alive.

Dad, not a day goes by that I don't think about you. My grief is like a constant throbbing; it waxes and wanes but never leaves. There's still part of me that can't believe you're gone. I can hear your laugh, feel your hug, remember your warmth. Your integrity and moral compass were admired by all, professionally and personally. Your love, compassion and generosity touched us daily and left an imprint on our hearts. Your grandchildren feel your spirit within them.

I am left trying to live up to your example. Whenever I have a negative thought or feel tempted to do something I might regret later, I think of you. You never had an unkind word about anyone! You did the right thing even in the hardest of circumstances. When I was little, I wanted to be just like you. Nothing has changed, even with your passing, but we lost you too soon.

Anyone as lovely as this kind man was betters all he touched, nurtured and trained. I can hear his life music when I hear the legacy voices of his daughter and grand daughter. Angel wings to you Sir.

Happy birthday Lito. Not a day passes without thinking of you and the legacy you left for our family. Thank you for being such an amazing role model.

My condolences to Arturo's family. He was a great IRS executive leader at IRS. I first met him when while he was the Director for New Mexico and sought out his advice around diversity. A big loss to the world!

With very fond memories of all good times spent with Arturo and Belinda. Both Dolores & I have nothing but great memories of the kindness and desire to help always expressed by Arturo. Arturo was always a perfect gentleman in every sense of the word and will be greatly missed by all who ever came in contact with him in any way. We express our condolences to Belinda and the rest of the family. I know that Arturo will Rest In Peace because of the kind of life he led. 

Martin & Dolores Cuellar

Lito, I have shed many tears of sorrow and joy, thinking about how fortunate I was to have you as my second father. I met your daughter when I was 18 years old. When we married you welcomed me into your wonderful Texas family, and your kind, gentle embrace told me that I belonged.
Diana and I had our first child a year after our marriage, and you became the grandfather that I wanted to become. You were patient, loving, generous, and involved in our children’s lives. They could not wait to travel to Houston or have you in Seattle in order to be spoiled by Lita and serenaded by you. You told them Gorgoña stories that imparted little snippets of wisdom that they still remember to this day.
Whenever I visited Houston I asked you to have a honey-do list of maintenance items for me to do. I will never forget the excitement, wonder, and appreciation that you showed when I fixed a fence or replaced a light fixture. You had a way of making me, and everyone feel like the most important person in the world.
You are my role model, the person whose character I strive to match every day. Thank you for being you. I am a better person, and our family is as rich as can be because you were in our lives. I love you to the end of time.

Our condolences to Belinda and they rest of the family. Arturo was a gentlemen who was kind and wanted a good education and success for students who were less fortunate. He was always ready to help to do what was necessary to get this accomplished. Belinda, we are here to help you during this sad time.
Love and blessings,
Janie and Solomon

I just found a card I never got to give you. I did a good job picking it, because it sums up how I feel.

"You are a part of everything I am. Lucky me. Thanks Dad."

I think of you throughout the day and the powerful role model you were and are. If I can live my life as you did, I will be utterly fulfilled when my own life comes to an end. It's not about the things I accumulate or the titles I garner--it's about how I treat others and make them feel. It's about the memories I create and the decency and honor with which I conduct myself. I am the luckiest person in the world, because I got to call you, "Dad."

My dear Lito,

I still cannot believe that you are gone. Just over a week ago you sat in your comfy chair watching the news with Diego at your side. I cannot put into words how much you are already missed by the family.

Some of my favorite memories include singing songs with you on the guitar every year when you would come to visit us in Seattle or we would go to Houston, my favorites being Cielito Lindo (has the word Lito in it!) and Solamente Una Vez. I will never hear groups like Trio Los Panchos or the beautiful Eydie Gorme without thinking of you and wishing you were there to appreciate the music with me.

I loved watching Jeopardy with you while you munched on your snacks (popcorn and Werther's caramels). I admire how you were constantly wanting to learn, until the very end. I remember I called you when Alex Trebek died and talked to you about how sad it was, as he was such a big part of our daily TV lives!

We also took so many trips together, trips that gave me so many wonderful memories and experiences. Some of my favorite trips include Casa Giddings in Cabo, our Alaskan cruise (with 19 family members?!) and our trip to Italy. Many of these trips happened because of you and Lita, and I am forever thankful.

Lito, thank you for everything. Thank you for always believing in me, for loving me unconditionally, for supporting me, for enjoying music as much as I do, for always leading by example, and for being the most honorable man I have ever met.

Grief is such a hard thing. I heard this quote somewhere, and I think it is quite fitting for this time in our lives.

"Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."

I will continue to smile for you, Lito. And maybe cry a little bit too.

Dear Belinda and family. 
Jose and I send our most blessed condolences. Arturo was a beautiful person always so respectful and caring. May he be resting in peace in the arms of Our Lord.  He will certainly be missed. We will always cherish all the memories we have of Arturo. May God continue to bless you and the family.
Love
Jose and Diana Carrion
Houston Texas

Dear Belinda, Diana, Rene, Russ and rest of family. What a tribute to a most a beautiful, loving, and fantastic professional and person who was my cousin (Arturo Alfonso Jacobs). Congratulations on your fantastic memorial. Pictures say a 1000 words and you all did a most memorable tribute. We will greatly miss Arthur. Please accept our most felt condolence. Love, Jose M. Pena Jr., Jose M. III, Melissa, Lucy, Estela Pena, Lauren (Granddaughter) and Andrew De Laney

Words can't adequately describe the impact that this kind, generous and inspirational leader had on those who knew him. Arturo made those of us fortunate enough to work for him excel and try mightily to live up to his expectations. He led by example and ushered me into the IRS executive program at a time when few women were admitted. I admired and revered him.

Dad,

You are the man I most admired in this world. I was so lucky to be born your son. You thought me patience, fair-play and a sense for justice and free speech. I have failed in these things many times, but I try because of you. You taught me that hard work pays off. That you can be ambitious and successful and still treat everyone around you with kindness and respect.
I have countless wonderful memories of our life together: Adventures in Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, all because you loved to teach and sought to work in these exotic places.
Family trips to Italy, England, and France. Cruises to Alaska and Cuba. Untold trips “across the river” to Mexico (and eating elote and cabrito there). All because you loved for us to travel together and get exposed to other cultures.
I will probably cherish most the smaller moments though – you and I fishing (we rarely caught anything edible), deep sea salmon angling (you and I were about the only ones not puking our guts out), you teaching me how to golf (I still have that wicked slice you taught me), and sitting with you countless times while you played guitar and sang Spanish Racheras. I have this indelible image in my mind of you and Salvador Garcia, sitting on rocking chairs on a Laredo porch on a hot Texas day, smoking cigarettes, drinking a really crappy beer, and playing guitars and singing with joy and abandon.

I will miss you terribly, but love you forever.

Rene

Helen and I will greatly miss Arturo's wit and infinite wisdom. We were fortunate to enjoy Arturo's friendship and my good fortune to have worked along side and as one of his managers for the time he served as one of the best District Directors the Seattle District ever had the great fortune to employ. We've both been blessed with the continued opportunity to call Arturo and Belinda very good friends for more than 40 years. We will miss you Arturo.