Juan Jose Juarez

If you ever passed by the Stripes on the corner of Main Street and Expressway 83 in La Feria and saw a white truck parked up front (probably askew) that was Juan Jose Juarez. In fact, if you look up that same Stripes on Google Maps under the satellite view, his truck is parked there from an image captured in October 2019, living on even without him.

A family friend once said, “He walks into Valero like we used to do at the club” when referencing how popular he was. Juan, or Johnny, as many called him, was the person that knew someone everywhere he went.

Maybe you remember him as the man that talked about the Dallas Cowboys, he was always hopeful for another Superbowl win. Or maybe he’s the man that said he liked his Whataburger “really, really hot” when he actually meant he wanted it toasted. Maybe he was the man with the loud muffler on his truck, which he would sit in for hours doing crossword puzzles to keep his mind sharp.

Or maybe, in your memory, he was the man that boasted about his grandkids. He loved his grandkids. He used to call each one every evening just to tell them goodnight. In his later years, he would sign off the call by saying, “You’re the best.”

He kept in touch with his friends from his 30 years of service with Frito Lay, where he worked after retiring from the military. His circle of friends was widespread throughout the community. He was loved by many, and he will be missed.

Juan is survived by his wife Ofelia S. Juarez, his sons Fabian (Nora) Juarez, Javier (Liza) Juarez and grandchildren Lea, Erik and Nathan Juarez. He is also survived by his sisters Guadalupe (Antonio) Anguiano, Maria Luisa (Nicanor) Vasquez, Oralia (Isidro) Alvarado, brother Benito (Gloria) Juarez and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father George Juarez, mother Marcelita Juarez, sister Elisa Juarez, brothers Facundo and Desiderio Juarez and grandson Aaron Juarez.

A visitation for Juan will be held Monday, August 29, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A rosary will occur Monday, August 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 502 South Canal Street, La Feria, Texas 78559, followed by a burial at 11:00 AM at Heavenly Grace Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heavenlygracergv.com for the Juarez family.