Juan de Dios Tobias

Juan de Dios John, Tobias born July 31, 1950, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2003 after a courageous bout with esophageal cancer. He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel L. Tobias; and sister, Norma Viola Tobias.

He is survived by his loving wife, Doris Ann Martin; daughter, Brandi Elizabeth Watt and her husband, Nicolas Watt; mother, Zulema R. Tobias; brothers, Carlos Tobias and his wife, Diana Tobias of Ft. Worth, TX, Hector Tobias and his wife, Rachel Tobias; Jorge Tobias and his wife, Annette Kardow-Tobias; sisters, Lt Col Mary Lou Lerma, R.N. USAF Ret.; Elva Diana Tobias; Blanca Tobias-McCain and her husband, Gunnery Sgt. William McCain USMC Ret.; nephews, Paul Eric Lerma, Carlos Javier Tobias and Eriq Taylor Tobias; nieces, Elisa Tobias, Norma Tobias and April McCain.

He was a graduate of St. Michael's Academy, St. Gerard High School, San Antonio College, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1970, achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5. As an aircraft ordnance specialist, he served at Da Nang Air Base with VMFA-115 in 1971, then volunteered to return in 1972 to serve with squadron VMA-211 at Bien Hoa Air Base.

As part of the last 500 combat Marines in Viet Nam, the squadron departed shortly after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. He began his 26 years of service to the community with the City's Family Resources Division as a field caseworker, assisting the indigent and disabled, completing his service as a branch supervisor.

He continued as a Citizen Action Officer, under the office of City Council/City Manager and Code Compliance, assisting in the handling and investigation of citizen complaints. He ended his professional career as a Mediation Coordinator with the Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, coordinating the County's mediation services. A trained mediator, he also assisted in the training of numerous mediation training classes, whose graduates continue to serve the Bexar County community.

John and his brothers are second generation musicians, a family tradition which began with the previous generation of Tobias brothers, Juan Tobias, Raul Tobias and father, Manuel Tobias, who were members of the La Orchestra de Martindale near San Marcos, Texas. An accomplished photographer, he left many memorable images for family and friends that reflected his ability to photograph the simple, as well as the complex, always preferring to be behind the camera instead of in front. He volunteered his skills in covering many activities honoring Bexar County employees, and was himself awarded a certificate of appreciation for his services. The family would like to thank Dr. Dennis Messenger, M.D.; CTRC Staff, Dr. Gopal Kunta, M.D.; Dr. Chris Takimoto, M.D.; nurse, Heidi Redmond and Pat Maksyn, and Melanie Sulistio, M.D. , Scott Johnson, M.D., Emily Meyer, medical student, Jin Talma, R.N. and nurses from University Hospital.