Memorial for our Beloved Robert Villegas
Donation protected
When Robert was 28 years old, he found himself once again back in a jail cell looking at his life. His dad died when he was three. He had been a heroin addict since he was fourteen. His mother was terrified for him and prayed constantly until she just had to give up and give him to Jesus. His four sisters adored him but were afraid for him. He’d done all the things the demon-bound will do: Stealing from friends, robberies, prison … was this to be his life forever? L.A. Twin Towers echoed with the screams of men in torture. Was he going to join them?
Robert made some decisions that day that ended in him going into treatment for his drug addiction and alcoholism. He was a hard nut to crack. He was there for three years.
But, it was the beginning. He fulfilled his childhood dream and became an artist. He drew caricatures at Universal Studios for 25 years. He worked as a background painter on cartoon shows: The Mask, Mortal Kombat and King of the Hill. He went back to the school he missed and became a counselor with others that suffered as he did.
He also changed his personal life. He stopped being ‘a troubled loner’ and in 1984 he became a gentle, tender husband and the father of a gifted and beautiful daughter. He flowered as a human being and painted and loved every day. That was because 35 years ago he also found his way into 12 step programs. He was so grateful and humble. He loved being with his Tribe. He gave back every way he could. He was the quiet one in the back, counting his blessings.
The Big Book of AA turned into a “Build a Man Kit” that he tinkered with daily in order to make himself even closer to the image he held of his Higher Power.
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With all these gifts, he had his faults as well. Mainly that there wasn’t a practical bone in his body. He was so shocked to be alive, useful and loved that he didn’t think for a moment that what happened on Valentine’s Day could ever happen. He had a massive heart attack and passed instantly into the Infinite. He left no insurance, no savings and no ‘plan’ for this. Donations will allow Evelyn some time to grieve and adjust to this new chapter.
Robert made some decisions that day that ended in him going into treatment for his drug addiction and alcoholism. He was a hard nut to crack. He was there for three years.
But, it was the beginning. He fulfilled his childhood dream and became an artist. He drew caricatures at Universal Studios for 25 years. He worked as a background painter on cartoon shows: The Mask, Mortal Kombat and King of the Hill. He went back to the school he missed and became a counselor with others that suffered as he did.
He also changed his personal life. He stopped being ‘a troubled loner’ and in 1984 he became a gentle, tender husband and the father of a gifted and beautiful daughter. He flowered as a human being and painted and loved every day. That was because 35 years ago he also found his way into 12 step programs. He was so grateful and humble. He loved being with his Tribe. He gave back every way he could. He was the quiet one in the back, counting his blessings.
The Big Book of AA turned into a “Build a Man Kit” that he tinkered with daily in order to make himself even closer to the image he held of his Higher Power.
*********************
With all these gifts, he had his faults as well. Mainly that there wasn’t a practical bone in his body. He was so shocked to be alive, useful and loved that he didn’t think for a moment that what happened on Valentine’s Day could ever happen. He had a massive heart attack and passed instantly into the Infinite. He left no insurance, no savings and no ‘plan’ for this. Donations will allow Evelyn some time to grieve and adjust to this new chapter.
Organizer and beneficiary
Tricia Gutierrez
Organizer
Portland, OR
Evelyn Villegas
Beneficiary