Jose Villalta died attempting to rescue Marcos Villalta from burning, Stockton, California, December 27, 2025. Marcos, 13, remained inside his family’s burning, one-story house after a fire broke out on the patio before spreading to the main structure. Marcos’ grandfather, Villalta, 68, custodian, was woken by the heat and smoke of the fire. Villalta roused his wife before moving to alert Marcos’ father and his partner. Marcos’ father then moved to an adjacent bedroom and alerted Marcos and his sister, 11, instructing them to exit the house. Once outside, the rest of the family realized Marcos was still inside. Villalta stated he was going back inside to locate Marcos. Villalta then ran back into the house at the front door. Marcos’ father attempted to follow him, but the door was thrown shut before he could enter. The father eventually opened the door by repeatedly ramming his shoulder into it, at which point he found Marcos nearby in the living room. He led Marcos to safety outside before returning to the house in an attempt to assist Villalta, but smoke and encroaching flames rebuffed him as firefighters arrived on the scene. Emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Marcos to the hospital where he was treated for burns to his ears and face; he recovered. Responding firefighters saw Villalta’s body inside, near the front door soon after they arrived but were unable to assist him; he had died.
Obituary
José Jerónimo Villalta was born in Delicias de Concepción, Morazán, in El Salvador. On June 5th, 1957, he was welcomed by his parents, Juana Villalta and Marcelino Corea. José was part of a large family, and is survived by eight siblings. He is also survived by his wife, Flor Villalta. He leaves behind his children, Karla Villalta, Jimmy Villalta and Wilbert Villalta. His legacy moves forward through his grandchildren: Oscar, Maya, Zulma, Adela, Luis, Lourdes, Marcos, and Azucena.
José came from a humble background and left for the city of San Salvador at a young age. There, he began a life-long love of sales and entrepreneurship. He succeeded in life by maintaining a strong work ethic, dedication to his goals, and a passion for doing things as best he could. He loved business and economics, and encouraged his children to seek out the education as he hadn’t had the opportunity to complete.
In an effort to support his family and create a path for them to flee the civil war, he migrated to the US in 1984. He became a business owner, running small stores in the San Francisco Mission District and Redwood City. This allowed his family to join him in the United States in 1990.
A desire for security, health care, and home ownership led him to add custodial work that supplemented his business endeavors. This led to a full-time custodial position in the Ripon Unified School District, where he worked for over 15 years doing everything from polishing floors to driving school buses full of children.
Once retired, José expanded his import business and built a community with other vendors at the Modesto flea market. Additionally, retirement has provided him the space to support his grandchild during the week. A loving grandpa, José was a well known face in the kids’ BMX racing community and has taken on an integral role in helping raise Marcos and Azucena.
José loved people, and created connections wherever he went through his outgoing nature and bright smile. He loved helping people. He especially cared about giving back and supporting other migrants trying to make better lives for their families. He will be remembered as a hard worker with a charismatic sense of humor, a booming laugh, and fierce determination. He will be remembered for his bravery, his willingness to put his life on the line for his family, and for doing so until his last moments. He would not see himself as a hero, but as a parent, a grandparent, and a husband, acting with love, duty, and responsibility to his family.
May he be blessed and welcomed into God’s Holy Kingdom as a beloved child, now returning home to rest and be embraced in the everlasting light of Jesus Christ.