Paz M. Juarez

Paz Manuel Juarez Sr. went to heaven to be with our Lord and Father on October 25, 2011. He was born during the depression on January 27, 1920 to Daniel and Maria Canedo-Juarez. He was preceded in death by his wife Florence of almost 70 years, daughter, Diana, son-in-law, Mark Meservey, four brothers, Senen, Mike, Daniel and three sisters, Dolores, Consuelo and Elvira. He is survived by his son Paz Manuel Juarez Jr. (Mary Jane), daughters, Olivia Munoz, Carmen Meservey, Ernestina "Tina" Rangel (Mike), Mary Ester Juarez , sister Soledad Hernandez, 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Born to immigrant parents from Mexico, Paz and his brothers learned the value of work at a very young age. At the age of 9, he worked as a dishwasher to help support his family. During certain months of the year, he and his family would travel to small towns around San Antonio and up North to pick cotton and vegetables. As a teenager he liked sports and was especially intrigued with boxing. He boxed at Brackenridge Park where he says nobody could beat him in his weight division. His boxing career quickly came to an end, when his father found out. It was between the age of 18 and 21, that he joined the CC Camp and the WPA where he worked on projects such as the Alamo Stadium, Randolph AFB and he soon found himself in Columbus, New Mexico; where he would walk about 45 miles to Deming, New Mexico so he could board the train to come home on leave. He would say " there is nothing for free in life" and because of his affiliation with CC Camp and WPA , he felt that this is were Uncle Sam obtained his name and social security to draft him into the army on February 18, 1942. Before he left, he married the love of his life "Florence". During his tour of duty he took part in the Africa Theatre, European Theatre, the landing operations at French Morocco, Tunisian and finally Licata, Sicily where he was wounded on July 10, 1943. During landing operations at Licata, Sicily, the landing craft was attacked by three enemy fighter bombers and incendiary bullets from the planes virtually tore off his right leg. Even though he was wounded and in great pain, he insisted to be left where he lay, so that all efforts could be directed to extinguish the fires which engulfed the deck were vehicles and gasoline were stored and might endanger the lives of other soldiers. His right leg was immediately amputated by medical officers and later he spent several months in a hospital in North Africa, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. When he finally arrived back to the states, he was sent to Walter Reed hospital in Washington. He received the Silver Star, during what he recalls as a beautiful military ceremony. Once he made it back to the states, he found himself being interviewed by several newspaper reporters as an honored military hero. The story later made headlines here in the two local San Antonio newspapers. He was discharged in April 1944 and began to resume his life with Florence and his 2 year old son, Paz Manuel Juarez Jr. One day, he was taking care of official business at the main post office in San Antonio, when a man by the name of Mr. Peavey recognized him from the newspaper story and offered him a job in the Optical field working for American Optical and later Dietz Mclean Optical. In the 50's, he also owned his own business "The 613 Club" on Austin Street. Then in 1977, he began teaching his wife and daughters, the trade of an optician

They opened Gemini Optical on IH 35 and operated the business for over 26 years. He was a very proud man and he never wanted anyone to make any special accommodations for him due to his disability. He never gave up and always remained strong, even till his death. A man of strong faith, a longtime parishioner of St. Benedict's, but also loved attending mass at San Fernando Cathedral. He attended St. Margaret Mary Nutrition Center, a life time member of DAV and loved watching sports on television. He had great love for his parents, brothers, sisters, wife, family, God and his Country. He would never want us to forget our troops, veterans, disabled veterans and especially our fallen soldiers.

We wish to thank all the wonderful people at Vitas Hospice Care and his caregivers for all their help and support during the past months.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to "Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary" (DAV Chapter #25) to 5337 W. Commerce, San Antonio, Texas 78237- Attn: Jesse Vega, Chaplain. Entombment in San Fernando Cemetery II.