Peter Madelo Jamero Sr., a high-level government executive, community activist, and writer, passed away in November 2024 from heart failure in Merced, CA. He lived to be 94 years old. He was honored at a private Celebration of Life held March 15, 2025, at Terry’s Kitchen in Bellevue, WA. His family also had a rosary and funeral mass in December 2024 in CA.
Peter was the first child born in 1930 in Oakdale, CA to immigrant parents from Bohol in the Philippines. He was one of eight siblings and is survived by two brothers and a sister.
He grew up a “campo boy” as part of his family-run labor camp in CA’s agricultural Central Valley, graduating from Livingston High School in 1948. Right after high school, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for four years. He was proud to be a Korean War veteran.
After a whirlwind romance, he married Teresa “Terri” Romero in 1953, and they were blessed with six children: Karen Armada, Cheryl Jamero Organo, Peter Jamero Jr., Julie Jamero, Jackie Jamero Berganio, and Jeanine Silverio.
In addition to being a family man, Peter pursued his education, earning his BA in Sociology from San Jose State University in 1955. In 1957, he graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a master’s degree in social work. He was also a Public Affairs Fellow at Stanford University.
His various jobs took the family to various places in the U.S. from California to Virginia to Washington. He met with success. Professional achievements included Filipino American firsts as a human services leader and top-level government executive. He held prominent positions such as Washington State Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (appointed by Governor Daniel Evans), and Director of the King County Department of Human Resources (selected by King County Executive Randy Revelle). He also served as a professor at the University of Washington, and a vice-president at United Way.
In Seattle, he led a full civic and political life with Terri and other activists and his close friends called the “Young Turks,” a tag given by “Manongs” or elder Filipino Americans in the 1970s to this group. The “Young Turks” included Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Robert Flor, Larry and Becky Flores, Roy and Angie Flores, Harvey McIntyre, Anthony Ogilvie, Bob Santos, Dolores Sibonga, Andres and Evelyn Tangalin, and Dale and Jeannette Tiffany.
Peter’s close friend for over 50 years, Andres “Sonny” Tangalin, shared at the celebration of life: “Pete wasn’t a Young Turk storm trooper, more of a mentor, sharing of valuable insights and points of view. Pete’s expertise and commitment as a social services bureaucrat was his lane. He valued organization, paid close attention to details, was patient with change, was confident in his communication skills, was adept at solving problems, was able to handle stress, and was open to new growth opportunities especially when the resources and services he packaged closed gaps in human services.”
His community life also included being involved in the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle Inc. (FYA). He was a founding member of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and served as the first FANHS National Vice President in 1982. He remained active in FANHS throughout his life. He was also a member of the Filipino American Political Action Group of Washington (FAPAGOW).
In 1989, Peter returned to California with his wife to take a new job. Mayor Art Agnos appointed him as Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.
In the 1990s, both Peter and Terri kept busy organizing two successful Grand Reunions attended by former members of CA Filipino Youth Clubs, which included basketball and volleyball tournaments that brought together Filipino American youth who often felt excluded in mainstream society.
In 1995, Peter retired, and he moved with Terri back to his roots in the Central Valley, residing in Atwater. They enjoyed fifty-five happy years together until Terri passed in 2009. They also valued time with their growing family, which now numbers six children and their partners, 15 grandchildren and their partners, and eight great-grandchildren.
Peter was a published author including his memoirs, “Growing Up Brown,” and a book, “Vanishing Filipino Americans – The Bridge Generation.” He also had a blog, peterjamero.net.
He received many accolades and awards including from the California Legislature Assembly, Eye International Publishers, United Way of San Francisco, FANHS, FYA, and Positively Filipino.
Peter left this earth in a good way and on his own terms. He accomplished a lot, had love in his life, served admirably as the patriarch of his family, had tons of friends, and was well traveled.
Peter’s youngest daughter, Jeanine, had these memories of her Dad:
“He was an amazing man who held so many family and friends within his huge heart, valued his community, loved to make friends out of strangers, cherished his roots and Growing Up Brown, drank everyone under the table thanks to the “hollow leg” gifted to him by the navy, was a social BEAST who thrived on all the connections he’d made, had a loud, weirdly infectious cackle that was uniquely all his own, danced like El Suave with Mom (be it the off-beat, cha-cha, or salsa), told the corniest jokes, was a compassionate, caring listener who offered wise advice (which was not always accepted), had a deep passion for jazz, remained a lifelong, diehard Yankee fan, possessed amazing intellectual powers and wisely avoided power tools.”
In his tribute, Andres said, “At 5’2”, Pete was an extraordinary big, little man. Farewell, my friend. An incredible life lived. Your legacy will be inspirational for lifetimes in the future.”
