Juan Moya Sr.

He is survived by his children Juan Moya Jr., Sylvia Moya Rodriguez (Roy), Leticia Moya Reyes (Renato), Raymond Moya Sr., Carlos Moya (Patricia), Yvonne Moya Garza (Enrique), Johnny Moya, Jonathan Salinas Moya (Reona), Joseph Moya, Jesse Cansino, as well as 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and his siblings Candelaria Moya Ortega (Pedro † ), Carmen Moya Rivas (Santiago † ), Juanita Moya Garcia (Roy), and Reymundo Moya Jr (Dora).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Reymundo Moya and Candelaria Rocha Moya, sister Dalia Moya, and brother Rodolfo “Rudy” Moya.

The funeral will be officiated by Heavenly Grace Funeral Home.

Moya was born and raised in Mercedes, TX. He attended Mercedes High School and graduated with the Class of 1960 and joined the local National Guard at the age of 17. After completion of basic training and infantry training his unit was called to active duty in 1962 during the Berlin Crisis. After his release from active duty he enlisted in the Army and attended Airborne and Special Forces training and was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served with multiple Special Forces units, including two combat tours with the 5th Special Forces Group in the Republic of Vietnam in the Central Highlands. His last assignment was with a Special Operations Unit in the Tri-Border area of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. He also served a tour in Thailand and one in Germany with the 10th Special Forces Group, where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant and became a Team Sergeant for an elite 12-man team of Green Berets.

After his retirement he became a ROTC instructor and established units in Weslaco and Mercedes and finalized his career with the Houston Independent School District as a JROTC administrator. He served 22 years in the military as Master Sergeant in the Army as a Green Beret, and 25 years as JROTC Administrator and Instructor at Weslaco, Mercedes, and Houston Independent School Districts.

Some of his decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also has been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the US Army Parachutist Badge, the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, Royal Thai Parachutist Badge and several commendations and other awards.

He recently returned to his hometown of Mercedes after residing in Houston for 30 years and dedicated his time to working with the youth at his boxing gym and serving the local Veterans as Commander of the J.A. Garcia American Legion Post 172.

He enjoyed mentoring, coaching and giving. During his time in Houston he coached countless boxers. In Mercedes, hundreds of boxers were taught to put on their hand wraps, hit the punching bag and go toe-to-toe against their opponents in the ring with Moya in their corner. Thanks to his mentorship dozens were inspired to pursue a military career or professional boxing career.

Over the last five years it was Moya’s passion to work everyday teaching children boxing and discipline as their coach at Moya’s Boxing Club. As the commander of the American Legion J.A. Garcia Post 172 he led his fellow legionnaires in their main objective of veterans serving veterans and distinguished his hometown as the most patriotic little town in America.

A visitation for Juan will be held Tuesday, September 12, 2023 from 2PM to 10PM with a rosary at 7PM at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. A church mass will occur Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 920 Anaquitas St, Mercedes, Texas 78570 following a burial.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Legion J.A. Garcia Post 172 in Mercedes, TX 78570.

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