On Saturday, September 7, 2019, Jose Ramon (JR) Castillo, Jr., loving father and beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, friend, and teammate passed away at the age of 44. He was born to Sally Garcia Trevino and Jose Ramon (JR) Castillo on February 5, 1975, in Falfurrias, Texas. His family and friends knew him as “Tydie” which his paternal grandfather, Ramon Castillo, nicknamed him as a toddler. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Ramon Castillo who he adored and his maternal great-grandmother Margarita Garcia whom Tydie used to tell “cool it, Momo” when his food was too hot. Tydie was a first in our family: first son, first grandson, and first nephew. He had a special relationship with his family growing up.
Tydie is survived by his pride and joy: Joshua Dylan (son) and Mallory J’sae (daughter). He also leaves behind an extensive family, including his mother, Sally (Frank) Trevino and father JR (Esther) Castillo; sisters: Margaret (Billy) Trinidad, Maritza (Pablo Alfaro) Garcia, Kristen A. Castillo, Lorraine Castillo; brothers: F. Joel (Gabriela) Trevino, Adriel (Jimmy) Trevino, and Jeremy R. Castillo. Also left to mourn Tydie’s passing are his loving grandparents: Modesto and Gloria Garcia of Brownsville and Consuelo Castillo of Falfurrias. Tydie is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews as well as Anabel Perez (girlfriend).
Tydie was known to many in South Texas as a great baseball player, specifically one of the pitchers of the Falfurrias Jersey state championship baseball team of 1991. He also played several years at Navarro Jr. College where he excelled in his pitching as well. But we remember him for his overall ability to entertain himself as a child, shooting baskets during timeouts and halftime at Jersey basketball games in which he rarely missed. Or for his ability to hit small rocks with a broom stick over and over again which his uncle (a great athletic as well) was unable to do. Tydie was mischievous and liked to see what he could get away with at our family Easter picnics at our ranch in San Diego much to the chagrin of certain cousins. But Tydie was also smart and would beat us in Trivia Pursuit.
But what we will remember most about Tydie is his big heart. He lived big and loved bigger. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Castillo, Chris Castillo, George Villarreal, Chuck Villarreal, Gabriel Regalado and Rey Regalado. Honorary Pallbearers will be Coach David Salinas, Coach Sandy Guerra, Oklahoma Sooners Coach, Skip Johnson, the members of the '91 State Baseball Team and the Jersey Baseball Alumni.
Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Falfurrias with Visitation beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Church in Falfurrias. A Private Burial will be held at a later date.
