Latest news with #JuanBaltazar
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
St. Louis food truck owner killed during storms leaves behind 7 children: 'He always showed up with a hug'
ST. LOUIS – A 48-year-old St. Louis man killed when a tree crashed into a pickup truck during Friday's severe weather outbreak in Missouri and Kentucky leaves a hole in his community, which will miss the joy he brought through his laugh, love and the delicious street corn he shared. Juan Baltazar was driving to pick up his 16-year-old son, Martine, from school on Friday, May 16, when strong winds knocked over a tree on his Blue Ford F-250 pickup truck. At least seven people were killed in Missouri when the severe weather and tornadoes swept across the state, including in the St. Louis area, where an Ef-3 twister, with winds estimated to be about 140 mph, ripped through a one-mile stretch of the city. Photos show the mangled truck after the storm, which happened south of the deadly tornado. Monstrous Tornado Outbreak Kills Dozens Across Kentucky, Missouri, Spawns Devastating Damage "That was his pride and joy," Jennifer Hartley said of the truck purchased about 14 years ago. "He's kept it running, and it's been his baby ever since." Hartley, Baltazar's ex-wife and mother of his 16-year-old son, told FOX Weather he leaves behind seven children, including his 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son with his wife, Rachel. "He's still thinking that he's going to come home," Hartley said of the toddler, who doesn't fully comprehend that his daddy is gone. Hartley said Baltazar was an awesome father to their son, and they "co-parented beautifully" together. "We've kind of created this awesome blended, big family. We celebrate all of our Christmases and our holidays together, and birthdays," she said. Woman Killed After Church Roof Collapses During Tornado Strike In St. Louis Baltazar also has four adult children in Mexico, where his mother still lives. Because Hartley speaks Spanish, she was the one who informed many of his family members of his passing. "I had to inform all of them that he had passed and how it had happened," she said. "Their screams and cries are going to haunt me forever." In addition to his family in Missouri and Mexico, Baltazar has family in Ohio, Texas and Illinois. Hartley said he spoke to his children in Mexico daily and was always on the phone, checking in on family and friends. "There are thousands of people who are coming out and contacting me and his wife, who are all telling their stories and how much he affected their life, and how much he was still an active part of their life," Hartley said. One way many people in St. Louis might have met Baltazar was through his food. He started the El Mandilon food truck, making wood-smoked street corn unlike anything else in the area. After doing food festivals, he got a permit to run the food truck anywhere in the area and was just accepted on DoorDash. Baltazar's son is almost 17 and enjoyed working with his father on the food truck. Hartley said he created the food truck to leave a legacy for his son and teach him entrepreneurial skills. Baltazar was also known for offering free corn at the end of a busy day. "He loved being able to give people food and make them happy. See a smile on their face," Hartley said. If he didn't have somewhere he needed to be, Baltazar would be fishing. Hartley said that even if he had a spare five minutes, he would find somewhere to pop up and fish. Family was everything to Baltazar, who always let his children know he was proud of them. "He never let him go a day without knowing how loved he was," Hartley said of their son. "He always showed up with a hug, and he always left with a hug." Hartley and her husband are managing a GoFundMe fundraiser for Baltazar's wife and children. The couple recently purchased a home with a mortgage that needs to be covered now by a single income. Donations can be made article source: St. Louis food truck owner killed during storms leaves behind 7 children: 'He always showed up with a hug'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Community servant, father of seven among victims killed in St. Louis storms
ST. LOUIS – At least five people died in the aftermath of Friday's storms in St. Louis, and FOX 2 is beginning to learn more about the victims. As of Saturday evening, family members and close friends have identified two of them. One of the victims was Patricia Penelton, who died when the roof of Centennial Christian Church collapsed as an apparent EF-3 tornado ripped through St. Louis city's northside. Centennial Christian Church, a historic landmark in north St. Louis, was severely damaged during the storm. The roof caved in, tragically killing Penelton. She was 74 years old and remembered beloved community member known for her selfless service. 'Ms. Pat was a selfless servant, a saint to the community,' said Alderman Shameem Clark Hubbard. 'How I met her was serving. She had what was called a 'God's Café'. 'She was a nice lady. She served the dishes,' recalled Marla Gossaus, a community member. 'I remember her giving me food or what not but it's just heartbreaking.' 'And I know her chili was like—it's the best in the world! The best I've ever tasted,' said Joseph Palm, highlighting Patricia's culinary skills. City officials reported that Patricia Penelton ran back inside the church after seeing bricks fall, moments before the roof collapsed. Due to dispatch lines being down, calls to 911 did not go through, and people in the church called Alderman Hubbard directly. Another victim who lost his lives in Friday's storms was Juan Baltazar, a 48-year-old father of seven, who died when a tree fell on his car on Grand Boulevard. Baltazar was known for his food truck business and his work in construction. Residents in St. Louis are still without power following the storm, with many staying outside to keep cool. Concerns about safety and stability are growing among the community. As the community mourns the loss of beloved members like Patricia Penelton and Juan Baltazar, efforts to support affected families continue. A GoFundMe is available to support the family of Baltazar. All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
