Jerel Minjarez

In the quiet beauty of McNary, Arizona, the world lost a shining embodiment of kindness and compassion on December 21, 2023. Jerel Jaymoni Minjarez, a soul just 21 years young, embarked on his eternal rest in McNary, leaving behind a legacy of warmth and empathy that touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Born on February 4, 2002, in Mesa, Arizona to Jaryn Hernandez and Jeremiah Minjarez, Jerel was a testament to the power of love and family. His journey unfolded with a radiant spirit, exemplifying the love he felt for his parents; brothers, Kade, Orion and Makale; sisters, Taylor and Ohlani. In his heart he carried the cherished memories of Grandparents, Joel and Glenda (Tessay) Hernandez, Denise Parker and Derek Riley. Though the pain of loss is deep, the family is comforted by the knowledge that Jerel has joined his Grandpa Marko Minjarez, Grandmother Luann (Quesada) Nez, and Nephew Kaden in a place of eternal peace.

Jerel's brief but impactful life saw him graduate from Alchesay High School in 2020, after which he devoted himself to the Alchesay Beginnings Child Development Center. As a Child Care Attendant, he nurtured the spirits of Apache children on the Fort Apache Reservation, leaving an enduring legacy of care and consideration.

In the tapestry of his passions, Jerel wove threads of love for Spider-Man and Japanese Anime, and his joy was found in the vibrand world of gaming, where he formed lasting bonds with friends and siblings. A dreamer with ambitions as vast as the ocean, Jerel aspired to become a Marine Biologist, seeking to unravel the secrets of the sea to sustain our world and its inhabitants.

Jerel's memory will be honored on January 2, 2024, beginning at 10:00 at the Whiteriver Assembly of God Church where a 1 night-wake will be held. The funeral service will follow on January 3, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. In accordance with his final wish, Jerel will be cremated, allowing his spirit to "swim with the sharks" in the boundless ocean he so admired.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable soul, let us carry Jerel's legacy forward, embodying the love, bright star, guiding us through the depts of grief towards the shores of cherished memories.