Longtime KRBE Personality Jerome 'YoJ' Ronquillo Dies

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 3:59pm CT

Jerome 'YoJ' Ronquillo

Jerome "YoJ" Ronquillo, a Houston radio personality and production director who spent more than three decades at KRBE-FM (104.1), died October 29 at age 57. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on January 1, though the station did not disclose a cause of death.

Ronquillo began his radio career at KRBE in 1994, handling on-air shifts, live club broadcasts and commercial work. KRBE Content Director Leslie Whittle confirmed to Chron that he most recently served as the station's production director.

In a Facebook tribute, KRBE remembered Ronquillo for his humor, enthusiasm and connection with colleagues and listeners. "YoJ was the life of the party," the station wrote. "His one-line zingers during meetings would make us inappropriately crack up every single time!"

The station also recalled his love of food and Houston sports, particularly the University of Houston, along with his skill at smoking ribs.

In September, Ronquillo performed a sold-out stand-up comedy set at the Houston Improv. The Houston mayor's office proclaimed the date of the performance, September 17, as "YoJ Day."

Following his cancer diagnosis, longtime friend and fellow radio personality Paul "Cubby" Bryant organized a fundraiser in March to help Ronquillo and his wife, Maggie, cover treatment and related expenses.

Bryant remembered their 32-year friendship in a Facebook post, saying he was able to speak with Ronquillo by phone shortly before his death. "Those words matter, and I'm grateful they didn't go unsaid," Bryant wrote.

Ronquillo is survived by his wife, Maggie.