John E. Loza, age 92, of El Paso, Texas passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. John was born in 1929 in Glazier, Texas in the Panhandle of Texas during the beginning of the Dust Bowl to Trinidad E. Loza and Juan G. Loza. His family later settled in El Paso Texas. He was a proud member of the 1949 Bowie Alumni group for many years.
During the later part of WWII he and other Bowie High School students joined the Marines and created a new all Hispanic Company, the 19th Rifle Company. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan after its surrender as part of the occupying forces rebuilding Japan. He had been training for the invasion of Japan prior to its surrender. During the Korean War he was briefly stationed at Pohang (K-3) Airbase, South Korea as a ground support crew with the Third Marine Air Wing, which included pilots Ted Williams and John Glen. Later after his final deployment to Vietnam he would recruit for Marine Corp and performed some 30 casualty notification visitation to surviving spouses and family. After his 32 year military service ended, he worked at White Sands Missile Range until his retirement.
John is survived by his daughter Mary E. Loza; his sons John E. Loza and David Loza (Lisa Loza); his grandson Jeremy Loza (Megan Loza), his granddaughter Malerie Martinez (Rodolfo Martinez), his great grandchildren Isabella Loza, Aiden Loza, Adam Loza, Adriana Loza and Emilia Martinez; extended family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents; spouse Concepcion C. Loza; his son-in-law Mario Silva; his brothers Trinidad " Tony" Loza and Lorenzo Loza; and his sisters Carmen Striplin and Refugio "Cuca" Mata Almanza.
Open Casket Visitation for Gunny Loza will be Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM with Vigil at 6:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79903. Mass will be on Friday, January 7, 2022 at 9:15 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 9025 Diana Drive, El Paso, Texas 79904. Committal service to follow at 10:30 AM at Ft Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Loza family.
