Elizandro "TJ" Tijerina Jr., age 59, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Carolina's Healthcare System-Cleveland. Born in McCallan, TX on April 28, 1957 he was the son of the late Elijandro Tijerina and Maria Diega-Ramirez. He was raised in Glendale, AZ. He was very athletic as a child and enjoyed participating in track as well as wrestling. Elizandro retired after 23 years in the U.S. Army. He was a veteran of Desert Storm and was a former Drill Sergeant and Tanker. Elizandro loved fishing and hunting and frequented Moss Lake. He was a long time member of Shelby First Assembly of God where he taught Sunday school. He was proud of his work in founding the Homeless Men's Ministry. TJ loved his grandchildren, especially watching Sci-Fi movies with them and attending their sporting events. In addition to his parents, Elizandro is preceded in death by his grandson, Bryce Alexander Barbee.

Elizandro is survived by his wife Chong-Un Lee, two daughters; Jessica Lee Barbee and husband Geromy of Shelby and Monick Tijerina Straub and husband Christian of Los Angeles, CA. One brother, Eliceo "Chado" Tijerina and a sister Mona Elisa Hosokawa and husband Robert all of Peoria, AZ; three grandchildren, Alyssa Morgan Barbee, Knox Bennett, and Atalie Zeppelin Straub; as well as two nieces, Talina Labron and Krista Rosado.

Memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 3:00p.m. at the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Michael Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Memorials can be made in his honor to his family at 1413 Wesson Road, Shelby, NC 28152.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Tijerina.