Juan Manuel Urteaga

Juan “Manuel” Urteaga, 89, of Ballinger passed away July 26, 2011. He was born January 2, 1922 in Norton, TX. He was in the U.S. Army. He married Epifania Sarsosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Narciso Urteaga and Maria Sanchez Urteaga; sisters and brothers: Juanita Gamez, Joe Urteaga, Basilio Urteaga, and Josie Lopez.

He is survived by his wife: Epifania Urteaga; brother: Lino Urteaga; daughters: Gloria Torres and a very special friend and companion, Mose Rodriguez and Adeliada Saldana and husband Joe Saldana; grandchildren that were considered his children: David Varela Jr., Louis Rodriguez Jr., Debra Bowman and husband Clarence Bowman, Diana Saldana and her companion Andy Lopez, Rachel Jaques and husband Louie Jaques, Yvonne Martinez and husband Julio Martinez, and Joey Saldana; a special great granddaughter, Crystal Aguilar-Martinez who he raised as his own; as well as 15 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Lino Urteaga, Jr., Omar Urteaga, David Garcia, Ricky Urteaga, Ernest Torres and Samuel Martinez.

A rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011 at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, July 30, 2011 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mereta-Eola Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign the online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.