Santiago Barajas

Imagine a string of motorcycles, riding two abreast, stretching out for miles farther than you can see. Hear the sounds of the bikes rumbling in a constant thunderous symphony. This was the dream of Santiago “Sandy” Avelino Barajas. To be flying down the highway on his beloved Harley Davidson, dressed in full Harley regalia – life could get no better.

Perhaps one of the things that most characterizes the 1950’s was the emergence of the “teenager”. Girls wore felt poodle skirts and ponytails, guys wore jeans and had their hair cut in flat tops and crew cuts. Teenagers were defined as a separate generation and were represented by James Dean, who wore blue jeans in “Rebel Without a Cause” and created a fashion and attitude sensation. Into this time of “coolness” was born a boy who would one day develop his own brand of “cool”. Santiago and Adela (Perez) Barajas lived in Chicago with their 2 children, Yvonne & Gregory. On July 6, 1950 they welcomed the birth of their third child, Santiago Avelino Barajas. Young Santiago, or Sandy, as he was affectionately called, would soon have 2 more brothers – Ricardo and Arturo, and a sister, Marguerite.

Sandy’s father did tile work and his mother was a homemaker, working hard to raise her children. When Sandy was young, the family moved from Chicago to Kalamazoo, Michigan. His parents separated, and, being one of the oldest, it was sometimes Sandy’s responsibility to watch over his younger siblings. However, this did not mean that he and his brothers did not have time for fun and a little hell raising. Somehow Adela managed to keep tabs on her children. Sandy attended Kalamazoo Central High School and enjoyed playing football for the Maroon Giants. He also enjoyed and excelled in his shop classes. While in high school, he met an attractive girl named Linda Harper. Linda was a year ahead of Sandy and not too interested in an “under classman”. Sandy had other ideas. He kept telling her that she was the one he was going to marry. She didn’t believe him, but Sandy never gave up his quest.

At the young age of 18, Sandy was restless and ready to move on, so he joined the Marines on September 24, 1969, serving his country as an auto mechanic in Vietnam. He was always proud to be a Marine, and on leave during that time, returned to Kalamazoo to make Linda Harper his wife in a simple ceremony held at one of the parent’s homes. Sandy returned to the Marines and was Honorably Discharged on April 20, 1972. After his discharge, Sandy returned to Kalamazoo, determined to use what he had learned to make a good life for him and Linda, and their growing family. Over the next several years, Linda and Sandy had 4 children – daughters Maria, Michelle, and Monica, and son, Miguel. Sandy also returned to school and earned his GED in May of 1972.

To support his family, Sandy started working for the Kalamazoo City Water Department. Wanting to give back to his community, he became a deputy for the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Department. Eventually he went to work for National Water Lift, which later became part of Parker-Hannifin. Sandy enjoyed his job, was a hard worker, and had many friends among his co-workers. He retired from Parker just a few months ago, after 25 years of faithful service.

Sandy Barajas had a little bit of the “rebel” in him. He loved driving his Harley, even though Linda was afraid and would not ride with him. He drove to Sturgis, North Dakota for the big Bike Rally there and took several trips down south. His grandchildren were delighted when Grandpa took them for a ride. They would be firmly tied in, because sometimes they fell asleep, and Sandy didn’t want to lose one of them. He loved taking his grandchildren fishing at the local lakes, or just “hanging out” with them and his Chihuahua, Joey. He always said that his best days were when his grandchildren were born, and he was present at every birth.

He loved music – jazz, country, classic rock – but his favorite was the blues. There was a wonderful blues bar where he liked to hang out and drink tequila sunrises. Sandy loved to eat – rice and beans, fried chicken, and his favorite Mexican dish, Menudo. Menudo is a wonderfully aromatic soup made of tripe, hominy and chili, and is stewed for hours with garlic and other spices. It is said to stimulate the senses, arm the insides and clear the head. It is usually eaten in the wee hours after a night out on the town and is widely proclaimed to be an antidote for hangovers – especially if one has had a few Tequila Sunrises.

Before Linda’s death in 1997, Sandy always looked forward to the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas were extra special because all the kids and grand kids would gather. Sandy would put jewelry boxes on the tree as presents for his wife and family.

He also liked to tell a good joke. Sometimes he would tell a slightly off-color one to his grandchildren. They would promptly run and tell their parents. Practical jokes were a trademark and you always wanted to be on the look out. He might tie a rubber band around the sprayer in the sink, or rig the phones at work, by taping the buttons down so they wouldn’t work. No one was safe. Humor was a big part of Sandy’s life, even up to the very end. Sandy had developed adult diabetes and didn’t always take the best care of himself, but his grandchildren were always willing to help out with yard work and housework.

Santiago “Sandy” Avelino Barajas died November 10, 2003 at Borgess Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Lou (Harper) Barajas in 1997 and by a brother Ricardo “Rick” Barajas. Surviving are three daughters: Maria (Mark) Maze of Galesburg, Michelle Arrasmith of Kalamazoo, and Monica Barajas of Kalamazoo; a son, Miguel Barajas of Kalamazoo; 5 grandchildren: Kyle, Elena', Jared, T’arra, Skyler, and one more expected in January; his mother Adela Barajas of Kalamazoo; 2 sisters: Yvonne (Jim) Will of Kalamazoo and Marguerite (Pat) Pantano of PA; 2 brothers: Gregory (Theresa) Beulle' of Vicksburg, Arturo “Art” Barajas of FL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday November 14, 2003 at 3:00 PM at Betzler Funeral Home, Stadium Drive west of US-131, 375-2900. Cremation will follow with private burial at Mt. EverRest Memorial Park. To read Sandy’s complete life story, share a memory, make a memorial contribution to the Battle Creek Veteran’s Hospital, or the American Diabetes Association, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.