John Joseph Reyes

Anyone who has ever been in John’s orbit knows that he was a Marine through and through. He served 5 years active duty, is a Vietnam veteran, and served in the Marine Corps Reserves for a number of years starting the last semester of his senior year in high school. The Marine Corps is known for its powerful mottos and slogans, with "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) being the most recognized, symbolizing the unwavering commitment of Marines to their country and each other. “Not everyone belongs here but everyone here belongs.”

John Joseph Reyes was witty, always fun, with an uncanny memory, and loved to tell stories handed down to him by his dad, Tony, and other family members. He was the Jeopardy and the Wheel of Fortune champion of the household and didn’t miss working the daily crossword puzzle in the Express News even on August 3, 2026.

He was proud to be the ninth generation living in what is now called Texas. His dad’s family came from the Canary Islands and was part of the sixteen founding families of what is now San Antonio arriving in 1731. His mother’s family later arrived from the interior of Spain. He is the great x 3 grandson of Jose Francisco Ruiz who was born on January 29, 1783, in San Antonio de Bexar in the interior province of Spanish Texas and was one of two native Texas who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington on the Brazos along with his nephew, Jose Antonio Navarro.

John loved baseball from the time he was a little boy playing in the neighborhood driveways and streets, playing youth and church baseball, being recruited to play college baseball at Arizona State University on a four-year scholarship, and on the All-Marine team before going to Vietnam. After his military service, he played Triple A ball for the Cleveland Indians until he was injured.

Baseball was a great jump off into one of his most rewarding careers which was in real estate. He and his wife Deanna were in the corporate housing industry for many years in Phoenix, AZ. The Angels of Anaheim were their very first clients when they opened the company in the mid-nineties. Eventually, fifteen teams had clubhouses with some sharing a stadium in the Phoenix metropolitan area with more staff and players being added to the portfolio living in apartments, condos, and houses. All housing was completely furnished with all utilities. Guests only needed to bring personal belongings and move into their home away from home. In addition to baseball, housing was provided to employees from all over the world of major companies and visitors to the Phoenix area.

After moving back to TX in 2018, he was a huge fan of following Joe Colaleo in his performing arts career in Austin from middle school through high school and now a student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts.

John was predeceased by his father, Juan Antonio (Tony) Reyes who was a San Antonio mail carrier for 38 years, his mother Guadalupe Villarreal (Ruby) Reyes, RN, sister Cordelia Reyes Millikin, brother Carlos Reyes, Sr., and nephew Carlos Reyes, Jr.

Surviving is his wife Deanna and numerous relatives and friends.

John’s favorite charities over the years have been Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, and the San Antonio Food Bank.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

A Graveside service will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.