Jimmy M. Amaya

Jimmy Martinez Amaya, 69, of Hillsboro, Oregon, passed away on February 15, 2015 surrounded by family and loved ones.

The viewing will be held at Donelson Funeral Chapel, 1070 West Main Street in Hillsboro Oregon from 5:00PM to 8:00PM on Wednesday, February 18. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 19 at St. Matthews Catholic Church, 475 SE 3rd Ave in Hillsboro, Oregon. Burial will follow the funeral at Valley Memorial Cemetery, 3809 SE Tualatin Valley Highway, Hillsboro, Oregon at 2:30 PM. Father Jose Ugalde will be officiating. Reception will be held at 3:30 PM on February 19 at St. Matthews Parish Hall, 475 SE 3rd Ave in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Jimmy was born in Edinburg, Texas on December 21, 1945. He was a part of the first graduating class from Colegio Cesar Chavez in Mount Angel, Oregon; the first accredited, independent four-year Chicano/Latino college in the United States.

Jimmy was married to Raquel Amaya in September of 1975; they were married 39 years and would have celebrated their 40th anniversary this upcoming September.

Jimmy worked as a radio disc jockey, civil rights representative for the Oregon Bureau of Labor, an Internal Revenue Service agent, tax consultant and independent CPA. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, barbecuing and attending his grandchildrens' soccer games. He was also actively involved in the Oregon Chicano/Latino community. In fact, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Chicanos of Oregon Golfing Association (ChOGA) for his lifetime contributions to the Chicano/Latino community in the Pacific Northwest. From advocacy work at Centro Cultural in Cornelius, Oregon to founding member of the Chile Jalapeo Open Annual Golf Tournament, Jimmy's commitment to community empowerment spanned multiple contexts and positively impacted many lives.

Jimmy Amaya was an accomplished Tejano musician; a skilled vocalist, bassist, pianist, harmonica and accordion player. His biggest passion was singing and composing Tejano music; Mexican-American music with pop, rock, polka, R&B and Latino influences. Virtud Chicana, Poli Chavez y su orquesta, Jimmy Amaya y sus Carnales are among a few of the bands he performed with.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Raquel; children Thomas Adan, Sarita and Jamy Amaya; children from a previous marriage; Rosie Garza, Elizabeth Lopez, Jimmy Amaya Jr and Veronica Amaya; 3 grandchildren Kallysta Angelica Amaya, Samuel and Gabriel Byrne-Amaya; several nieces and nephews including Mike, Richie and Cody Vidalez; his brothers and sisters Francisca, Domingo, Ursula, Alfonzo, Juan and Esperanza Amaya; and many more loved ones who will miss him dearly. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Santiago and Crecencia Amaya; his twin brother Tom¡s; his brother Donato; his sister Consuelo; and Abuelita Amanina.

The family of Jimmy Amaya wishes to thank Kaiser Permanente Sunset Hospital including all of the exceptional ICU doctors and nurses that ensured he reached his final rest comfortably, peacefully and surrounded by love.