Jesus Fernando Barrueta

Jesus Fernando (Fern) Barrueta passed away at home surrounded by family on January 29, 2024. Born March 1, 1943 in the Sunset Heights neighborhood of El Paso, Texas, he graduated valedictorian of Cathedral High School in 1961 before moving to Washington, DC to attend Georgetown University. Working his way through Georgetown as a pre-med biology major at the Georgetown Coffee, Tea and Spice shop, he graduated in 1965, and turned his formidable persuasive gifts to a career in sales.
He joined the Washington DC commercial real estate community in 1971, first with the Julien J. Studley Company and later Smithy Braedon. He established Barrueta & Associates in 1986 with several business partners. Representing both tenants and landlords, he earned numerous accolades, including top producing commercial broker in DC in 1980 and 1990 and DC Realtor of the Year in 1991. He served on the board of the National Association of Realtors, was President of the Washington DC Association of Realtors in 1988, was a founder of the Greater Washington Commercial Association of Realtors.
He was active in many business associations in the District, including the DC Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Greater Washington. His dedicated board service included the Hispanic College Fund, which he cofounded and later served as CEO, and the Latino Student Fund, promoting access to higher education for Latino students in need. He also served on the boards of the Levine School of Music, Independent Living for the Handicapped, the University of the District of Columbia and Building Hope, and as the first chair of the DC Marketing Center (now WDCEP). He was named Washingtonian of the Year in 2003.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Olga; father, Alfonso; and brothers Alfonso and Hector. He is survived by sons Anthony (Erin Meadows) and David Barrueta, daughters Tina Jenkins (Bill) and Jeanne Barrueta (Peter Weistroffer); seven grandchildren, Jillian Heffern (Caleb), Megan and Jack Jenkins, Michael and Lawson Barrueta, and Hector and Cassandra Weistroffer; and two great grandsons, William and James Heffern. His marriages to Deborah McNichol (now Halak) and Barbara Schwartz Barrueta ended in divorce. The family is grateful to Ruth Luper for her years of friendship and companionship to Fern. Inurnment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Aspen Hill, MD will be held in a private family ceremony on February 17. A memorial gathering for friends, colleagues and organizations he embraced will be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Latino Student Fund.