Jaime Ernesto Carrillo

If you knew my Tio Jaime, you knew he was a one-of-a-kind person. He had this strong personality and no one could forget the way he’d light up a room with his jokes. It didn’t matter what the situation was—Jaime could always find something to laugh about. And let’s be honest, we all know that sometimes his humor was a little... questionable. But that was part of what made him so special, right? He had this incredible ability to make people smile, even when they least expected it.

Tio Jaime’s love for family was something that ran deep. He wasn’t the type to mince words—he’d tell you exactly how he felt, and if you ever needed him, you knew he’d be there. Jimmy was a man of his word. If he said he was going to do something, you could bet on everything you have that it would get done, no questions asked, he’d be there. Loyalty meant everything to him, and his actions spoke louder than words.

Tio Jaime wasn’t someone who had an easy life; he went through his fair share of struggles, but through it all, he remained himself. He lived life on his terms. And if you ever needed to know where his heart was, it was truly with his dogs (Bear, Mia, Leia, and in the end, Luna). I don’t think there’s a single person here today who didn’t know how much he loved his dogs and what they meant to him. Jaime would have done anything for his dogs—they were his true family. In fact, I think we all know that his dogs probably got more pampering than any of us ever did!

But Tio Jaime wasn’t afraid of hard work, either. Whether he was hustling at the swap meet, waiting tables by the beach, or doing something else, he always gave it his all. Jimmy loved being around people—he enjoyed the energy of a busy restaurant, a crowd at the pier, or just being around good people. He would talk to anyone and everyone, and you could always count on him to make you feel welcomed.

And of course, we can’t forget about the bickering, right? Tio Jaime always had something to argue about, whether it was with family, friends, or even strangers. But if you really paid attention, you’d see that behind the loud personality and the occasional playful disagreements, there was a huge heart. Tio Jaime was someone who always put love first, no matter what.

Jaime had hobbies that made him, well, Jaime. He loved putting bikes together—something about the challenge and the satisfaction of getting everything just right seemed to give him joy. At one point, he even enjoyed fishing. I can picture him at Redondo Beach Pier in the back prepping his bait. One thing is certain, though, and that’s his love for 80s music. If you were ever around Jimmy, you knew the tunes of that era would be blasting in the background, and he was probably dancing to them, too. Family dinners meant a lot to him, and he loved having everyone around the table, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company.

I think one of the fondest memories we all share, especially as kids, was when Tio Jaime would pick us up from school. He’d let us sit on the bicycle seat, and then he’d push us all the way home. Lol. But it wasn’t just about the ride—it was about the snacks or candy he always had for us, or stopping by the AMPM by the apartments. The way he’d spoil us like we were the most important people in the world. Jimmy had a way of making us feel special in those small, everyday moments.

And personally, I’ll miss all those phone calls. The man would call you all day just to see how you’re doing, and to tell you to be careful being out on the streets. Those random voicemails where he’d just call to check in, crack a joke, or talk about whatever was on his mind. He always called me "Tito," and that nickname, along with his voice on the other end of the line, was something I’ll always cherish. It’s hard to imagine not hearing from him anymore, but I know those memories will stay with me forever.

In the end, Tio Jaime was a man who loved deeply, worked hard, and never backed down from being himself. He brought us laughter, warmth, and memories. We’ll all miss his jokes, his contagious laugh, and, most of all, his big, loving heart.

Tio Jaime, thank you for being you. We’ll never forget you, and we’ll always carry a piece of your humor, your loyalty, your love, and you—with us.