John was born on May 31, 1944, in Munday, Texas, to John Enriquez, Sr., and Maria Flores Enriquez, the only son in a family of five daughters. His family lived in Munday until John’s junior year in high school, when they moved to Wichita Falls; he graduated from Old High. He loved sports, and attended a church that did not offer this activity; however, he made certain that he met the requirement of attending another church three times every week in order to be a part of their sports team. The rest of the story is that there was sixteen-year-old Marianela Vazquez who was involved with these sports events, and shy and reserved John silently chose her as the apple of his eye.
John proudly served during Vietnam as a member of the United States Army, where he was a medic working as a dental technician. He was stationed in a hospital in Nurnberg, Germany, where he learned the art, became proficient, and in later years owned and operated a dental lab in Wichita Falls. John’s grandfather was a minister and his mother a true prayer warrior, and for the entire time John was in service, his mother flew an American flag outside their house. This was not just a demonstration of patriotism, but a symbol of her fervent prayers and her faith that John would safely return home from war. Her prayers were answered, and even though John witnessed the realities and horrors of war, he returned whole.
He married the love of his life, Marianela, on June 1, 1968, in Wichita Falls, and this became a union blessed by God as a pure example of His love and His plan for true happiness. They just celebrated their fifty-first wedding anniversary. Their marriage was built on faith in the Lord, and they always put Him first in their lives. He was a kind and patient husband who never uttered a harsh word to Marianela. John lived his life an example of Galations 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” He was patriarch of both his and Marianela’s families, and a shining example to over forty-five nieces and nephews. One precious child said upon his passing, “I know that God chose him as a very special angel, because He has work for him to do in heaven.”
John earned his Master’s degree in Education from Midwestern University, and worked as an educator in Wichita Falls. Even though he had a specific chosen profession, along with his entrepreneurial ventures, he ministered for the Lord wherever he went. His mission was to tell everyone about God’s love and provide to them the plan of salvation, wherever he was, whatever the time. He and Marianela lovingly served on missions trips, giving of their much-deserved vacation time, for twenty-four years, in order to do their part in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. John’s favorite tool to distribute was a brochure entitled, “How to Get to Heaven from Texas.” He lived every day as though it were his last, making sure he always put God first in his life. He was a very active member of First Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and was just elected Chairman of the the Board of Deacons.
John was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Aurora Alcala and Mary Hurley.
Those remaining to cherish his memory are his wife Marianela; sisters Cecilia Curtis, Ruth Arias (Felix), and Carmen Brown; and over forty-five loving nieces and nephews who adored him.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, January 13th, at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, with entombment following at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Garden Mausoleum.
Online condolences may be left at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com.
