Sgt Major Jimmy Abe Romero

SGM Jimmy Abe Romero, 81, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Clyde Cosper Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas. A celebration of his life, and final Company Formation, will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 6, at Lucus Funeral Home located at 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm at DFW National Cemetery.

SGM Jimmy Abe Romero was born September 8, 1937 in Cimarron, New Mexico to Leta Romero. He came from humble beginnings to rise to a high ranking non-commissioned officer in the United States Army. He was honored to be amongst the first Green Berets commissioned by President John F. Kennedy. While living at Fort Bragg, North Carolina he met the love of his life Rose Marie. Her love and dedication proved invaluable in their marriage. They were married until her death in 2010, but will be reunited soon in burial. He served his beloved country well while serving several tours in Vietnam and with Special Operations in Central America. Through his comrades he is remembered most for his heroism during a combat operation in Vietnam where he led a Special Forces Camp Strike Force to liberate a village from the Viet Cong. Despite being wounded he was able to rally those under his command and retake the village. This Bronze Star reads, “Despite his painful wounds, Sergeant Romero remained with his troops until the move was completed. Sergeant Romero’s valor in the face of overwhelming odds was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.” His military honors include: Three Bronze Stars, Two Purple Hearts, Two Army Commendation Medals, Four Good Conduct Medals, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and a Master Parachutist Badge.

After retiring from military service he taught military history and ROTC at the college level. His teaching locations were McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Upon his second retirement he ventured off to teach JROTC at MacArthur High School in Irving Texas for several years.

He is remembered most for enjoying the outdoors with his family, never too far from his favorite daytime television shows, reading the entire daily newspaper, having an incurable sweet tooth, and spending time with his grand-children. Even though he spent the last years of his life in dementia care, a healthcare worker summed up his character by stating, “Jimmy was always smiling and full of life. We were lucky that he was part of our family here. Hope he has safe travels.”

Jimmy is survived by his two sons, Jimmy Dean Romero of Haslet, TX and Steven Romero of Denver, CO. Jimmy’s wife Aimee, four granddaughters Amanda Parks, Alexis, Addison, and Andrea Romero of Haslet, TX, and Step-Daughter, Anne Santee of Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his Mother Leta Romero, his Aunt Bessie Sides, his wife Rose Romero and his Step-Son Robert A. Bjertess.