Juan "Johnny" A. Zuniga

Juan “Johnny” A. Zuniga passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Corpus Christi Texas. He was a lifelong resident of Corpus Christi and was born on Saturday, January 23, 1933, to parents Juan Antonio Zuniga Sr. and Concepcion Garcia Zuniga.

Johnny graduated from Roy Miller High School and went on to attend Del Mar College where he completed the Vocational Welding Program and became a welder. He bravely and proudly served his country when he enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 5, 1952. Johnny was Honorably Discharged on February 16, 1956. Shortly after his time in the service, Johnny met the love of his life, Yolanda Martinez. They were united in holy matrimony on July 2, 1960, and have remained together for over 64 years.

In his spare time, Johnny could often be found out in his garden. He loved to spend time in nature gardening and planting trees. He was most known for his beloved pecan trees that he planted and thereafter harvested by hand every Fall in October. If Johnny wasn’t in his garden tending to his plants, he could be found barbequing on his hand-crafted barbeque pit that he made with his sons and nephews. Along with his knowledge of welding, Johnny also passed along his advice on life and his famous recipes, showing his family why he was known for making the best brisket in Texas!

Johnny was an avid sportsman who enjoyed watching all sports, especially football, baseball, and boxing. His favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys, the Calallen Wildcats, and the Miller Buccaneers. Once his grandchildren and great-grandchildren became old enough, he rooted for each and every one of them during their own sport events and attended every game he possibly could, never wanting to miss a single moment.

Above all, Johnny’s greatest passion in life was spending time with his beloved family. He loved to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. He was known for always having candy available for his grandchildren’s visits and freshly harvested pecans for his wife, children, family and friends.

Johnny is reunited with his parents, Juan Antonio Zuniga Sr. and Concepcion Garcia Zuniga; grandson, Daniel Alonzo; and great-grandson, Isaac Compos. He leaves his beloved legacy to his wife of 64 years, Yolanda M. Zuniga; their seven beautiful children; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five siblings, David Lopez, Placido Lopez, Enriquetta Garza, Alicia Gutierrez, and Aurora Garcia; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5 PM until 9 PM on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, where a Holy Rosary will be recited that same evening at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 AM on Monday, August 5, 2024, at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church, 3901 Violet Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas. Rite of Interment with Final Military Honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Harbor Hospice of the Gulf Coast, the staff at Harbor Inpatient Unit Portland, the Pax Christi Sisters of Corpus Christi, St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church, and the staff at Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pax Christi Institute. Their contact information is as follows:

Pax Christi Sisters of Corpus Christi

4601 Calallen Drive

Corpus Christi, TX 78410

Office: 361-241-2833

https://paxchristisisterscc.org