Jon "Cougar" Balagot 47 years of life

by Debbie Hernandez
(San Pedro, CA, USA)

Cougar and Kud'r at beach in 2008

My love was born June Clemente Balagot, and changed his name to Jon Clemente Balagot in 2006, better know as Cougar. He grew up in Harbor Hills Housing, Lomita, California. He was raised by his mother Amelia, whom he respected and loved loyally.

He has two sisters, LaVette and Wonder, whom he loved very much. Cougar went to Eshelman Elementary, then Dodson Jr. High, Narbonne High School, and Harbor College. He was a very good student all through his education. He was a quarterback at Narbonne High School, and was also 7th best in the United States, in Tennis.

Cougar loved music, surfing, motorcycles, playing darts, pool, laughing and dancing. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lydia, whom he loved loyally, right after high school, they divorced 12 years later.

Then he met Debbie Baca in 1997, the love of his life, until his passing. He moved to Washington State with his sister LaVette, and Debbie soon followed. He and Debbie lived on a beautiful horse ranch in Renton, WA for two years. They raised their beautiful chocolate labrador retriever, Kud'r, from a puppy. Kud'r is his only child. Kud'r is loved by many, in honor of Cougar. They all moved back to California to be together again, in 2007.

He was a very intelligent man, he could fix anything that was broken. He was very kind, polite and caring. Anyone that was blessed by knowing him had respect for him. Cougar was always very loyal to the people he loved, always. He loved six children with all of his heart and soul, Stephen, Alex, Laura Love, Josiah, Lydia and Alijah. They all loved him very much. His best friend was Jeff.

Cougar became Muslim a few years ago, and stayed strong in his beliefs. He gave the best advice to all who sought it from him. Amazingly, he always knew the right answer. His loss will affect many lives forever.

He will be missed dearly and loved forever. We will all be with him someday.

Cougar passed on to his eternal life on February 19, 2009 at the age of 47. He was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in 2005. He had been suffering from it long before.