Juan Sotelo Villa

Juan Villa, also known as “John” and “Charro,” was born in Stanton, Texas on August 8, 1950. Juan came from humbling beginnings; his father was a farm laborer and his mother a homemaker. He had 3 sisters and 2 brothers, totaling 6 siblings all together.

Juan was exceptional from early in life. He graduated from Stanton High School, where he was an outstanding student and a star football player. His athletic and academic talents took him to compete as a football player in college. Juan ultimately received his BA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Juan was also a proud American who served his country. He was a decorated combat war veteran serving in Vietnam and Korea. During the Vietnam War, he was part of an elite unit of Army Rangers, completing many dangerous missions in defense of his country. Despite the risks he took, and the perils he faced, Juan was always humble about his military service.

Juan received his master’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin. While in his master’s program, Juan formed lifelong friendships with people who would become his colleagues throughout his career.

Juan worked in the education field for many decades. He was a school community liaison for the Austin Independent School District, where he worked with at-risk youth in junior highs and high schools throughout the district. He was an especially valuable leader because, being bilingual his entire life, he was able to communicate in fluent Spanish and English with his students and members of the community. Juan co-founded the organization SMART, Showing Minority Americans the Right Track. Mr. Villa, as he was known by his students, was a beloved leader, who specialized in teaching young people how to be mentors to at-risk members in their communities.

Juan was also an advisor to the Austin Police Department Gang Unit, teaching police officers how to liaison with local communities to address gang violence. His skills were in high demand, and he was often asked to advise other police departments across the country. As part of that work, he identified early on, before it became well known, the problems associated with racial profiling of minorities by police departments. He spoke at many conferences across the country on this issue.

Outside of work, Juan was an avid sports fan, especially for his beloved Dallas Cowboys and University of Texas Longhorns. He loved all Longhorns sports, but the Longhorns football team had a special place in his heart. It was common to hear him say “Hook ‘em!” when his Longhorns were on the march to victory. He also enjoyed playing golf, especially with his brothers and nephew, Steve, who was also a great friend.

Juan lived his entire adult life in Austin, in various neighborhoods throughout this great city. First, as a graduate student, he lived in student housing, where Juanita was born to his beloved first wife, Margie. Then, the family moved to Northeast Austin. Eventually, Juan settled in the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, where he lived for many decades until his passing.

Juan was very active in his community. He was an avid participant in politics, both in electoral politics at the national and local level, and in community organizing. It seems like everywhere he went in Austin people knew, respected, and cared about him. He was known as a social butterfly.

Juan was a devoted Catholic, attending daily mass. He was also a Eucharistic minister.

He loved visiting his grandchildren in Oakland, especially when he was able to attend their many sporting events. He found so much pride in them. He also loved having morning coffee with his daughter, Juanita, and in general loved being surrounded by family. He took great pleasure in completing crossword puzzles, especially challenging ones in The New Yorker.

Juan had an unbeatable style that will always be remembered. He was a grill master and enjoyed listening to all types of music, especially Tejano music and Simon and Garfunkel.

Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Clemente and Maria Villa, his sister Gloria, his first wife, Margarita Villa, who is Juanita’s mother. He was also preceded in death by Norma Yanez, his second wife. He is survived by his daughter Juanita (Ben), stepdaughters Rachael Martinez, Amanda Rodriguez, Kelly Rodriguez, and Andrea Medaglia, and grandchildren Lucio, Paloma, and Noemi.