North Texas Mother Gives Birth 24 Hours After Losing Husband

Community members are rallying behind a North Texas mother who gave birth to an 8-pound baby boy just 24 hours after losing her husband.

Ernest Villegas Jr. was known as "Junior" to his friends and his wife of five years, Nicki. The 33-year-old former baseball player died of a sudden heart attack after a morning of fishing.

"We just got along all the time. We were best friends. And we didn't even have to talk. We could just sit there and be next to each other and love it," Nicki Villegas said.

Villegas Jr. was also his father's pride and joy. He was the only child and a talented athlete.

"I knew at age 8 he had a special quality," Ernest Villegas Sr. said.

He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1999, but injuries ended his career four years later.

Villegas Jr. went on to marry Nicki Villegas, and together they had two children. Kash, their first son, is 2 and their daughter, Kaylen, will be 4 in August.

"She's our little angel. And she's in love with her daddy right now. They're just like best friends.," Nicki Villegas said.

She said she has not yet told Kaylen that her father has died. She said she didn't want her daughter to be sad when she met her new brother, Kanon.

Villegas said that despite losing her husband, she finds comfort in the new baby in her arms.

"I have this precious little angel from my husband that, you know, is going to keep me strong right now and is going to give me something to focus on," she said.

Memorial arrangements for Villegas Jr. are listed below:
 
Viewing
Friday, June 8, 2012
Moore Funeral Home
4216 S. Bowen Road
Arlington, Texas 76016

Funeral
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Rush Creek Church
2350 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard
Arlington, Texas 76016

A memorial fund has also been established.

Ernest Villegas Junior Memorial Fund
Chase Bank Account holders, log in to access your account as normal. Click "quick pay tab" at the top of the screen. Use the email address juniorvillegasmemorialfund@yahoo.com.

Otherwise, go by a Chase branch and donate to account No. 3034307412.