Golfer honors father-in-law’s vision through gift to BUA

SAN ANTONIO—Jose Jimenez realized his dream on the professional golf tour. Victor Gonzales was denied his dream of a theological education.

But because Jimenez married Gonzales’ daughter Lydia, those two dreams melded at Baptist University of the Americas in a gift of $100,000—the largest contribution from a Latino family in the school’s 62-year history, and the fourth-largest overall.

“The bequest was as unexpected as it was welcomed,” BUA President Rene Maciel, noted in announcing the gift. “But the history behind it explains everything. Even the directions to use the money ‘the best way you deem fit’ matched the quiet, servant attitude of these two men.”

Appropriately, BUA will inaugurate the Jose Jimenez Texas Baptist Golf Fellowship Sept. 25 for church staff members and friends. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the university’s mission society projects.

Jimenez, who died in August 2007 just two months after his wife’s death, was one of the Hispanic pioneers in professional golf, along with his good friends Lee Trevino and Chi Chi Rodriguez. He qualified for the U.S. Open and PGA Championship six times and the British Open once.

He is remembered best for becoming the youngest player to shoot his age or lower in a PGA tournament at the 1991 GTE Northwest Classic when the 65-year-old turned in a 63. That mark was later broken, but he still holds the record for scoring the most-strokes-below-age, a 62 at the 1995 Ameritech Senior Open when he was 69.

His wife grew up in a pastor’s home that emphasized assisting students at what was originally called the Mexican Baptist Training School.

“Our dad was self-educated, and when he was called to preach, he felt a deep need for more training,” Sarah Vallejo, her sister, told BUA students at the chapel announcing the gift. “But there was no place to go that would accept him. When we moved to San Antonio, he met other pastors dreaming of a seminary to train pastors and missionaries for Spanish-speaking churches.

“He was one of the first trustees when the school was organized in 1947 and was so happy. His favorite saying was, ‘We need to prepare them to go and preach the gospel and do it well, the way God intended.’ And he did everything he could to help students get in school and stay in school.”

His family frequently was instructed that, “if I have any money when I die, give it to the school.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jimenez had mentioned that she and Jimenez were putting aside funds for three favorite causes, including BUA. “I don’t want to tell you your business, but you should give the most to the university,” Vallejo told her. “They did—but we still all were surprised at the amount.”