Juan A. Gonzalez

Juan Arizola Gonzalez was born on March 8, 1932 to Emilia Arizola and Santos Gonzalez in San Antonio, Texas. He was the youngest of five. He attended Crockett Elementary and Lanier Junior School. Raised with a strong work ethic, Juan delivered papers in his neighborhood around Chupaderas and Martin. At 14 years old, he began working at his father’s drug store, Bexar Drugs Store located on the east side, where he would deliver medicine to customers on his bicycle and was also a soda jerk. He attended Sidney Lanier High School with the love of his life, Refugia “Cookie” Ortiz. He was involved in ROTC while there and graduated in the spring of 1950. Cookie would tell the story of how prior to high school they would see each other through a fence and she couldn’t stand him. She thought he was stuck on himself but in time he won her over.

After graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force. He was assigned to fly in the Korean War as a gunner and was in combat missions flying in B-29’s. In Okinawa Japan, he flew 35 missions in 6 months. He came back to San Antonio to marry his high school sweetheart and planned their wedding in one week. Cookie and Juan were married on June 11, 1952. After marrying, they lived in Topeka, Kansas and Travis Air Force Base, California before finally returning to San Antonio where Juan was able to be honorably discharge from the US Air Force. Juan went on to drive for the Blood Bank and worked with his dad before he was employed by Kelly Air Force Base as a civil servant. In 1987, he retired as a GS-11 where he supervised Inspectors of Aircraft’s on C-5’s.

Family was very important to Cookie and Juan. They raised three children, Juan Roberto “Bobby”, Cynthia, and Marlene Angelic and would enjoy traveling as a family to places like California, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and Mexico just to name a few. In his spare time, he enjoyed going fishing and was known to be a true handyman, willing to fix anything. If something was broken, he would say “It doesn’t hurt to try to fix it. It’s broken anyways.” In retirement, he continued to keep himself busy by taking on a variety of projects, fixing things around the house, working on vehicles and helping family and friends with repairs and other tasks. Whether he was fixing something or lending a hand, he was always teaching. Today, many of those he helped can proudly say they learned valuable skills from him, and his knowledge and willingness to teach will continue to live on through them.

After Cookie’s passing in July 1999, he helped raise his grandchildren and believed that they helped him keep the memory of his wife alive, rediscovering his purpose in life and continue living and prepare himself for the next time he would be reunited with her. Juan continued to live for his family and made it a point to be present for all types of events such as holidays, sporting events, renovations, high school and college graduations, reunions, weddings, 1st communions, confirmations, cruises, and vacations.

While Juan had Dementia in his later years, it did not prevent him from staying active. Whether it was walking in his neighborhood or playing bingo, he did not lose his sense of humor, his taste for onion rings and desserts, or love for his family. With the help of his caregivers (Dayra, Mayra, and Dora), he was able to continue living at home and was treated like “King Don Juanito”. The caregivers ensured that he stayed engaged both mentally and physically by encouraging him to participate in a variety of puzzles and games. They also spent time with him listening to music, watching the birds, and of course enjoying WWE Monday Night RAW together.

At the young age of 94, Juan passed away on July 1, 2026 at home surrounded by loved ones. Juan was able to lighten up a room with his smile and laugh not to mention his witty remarks. Now he is able to make heaven a bit brighter with his presence and be reunited with his “Chula”.

He is preceded in death by his wife (Refugia), son (Bobby), parents (Emilia & Santos), siblings (Norbert, Carmen, Mary, Hill), son in law (Frank). He is survived by 2 daughters Cynthia Saldana and Marlene Renteria (Jesse Jr.), daughter in law Dythia Gonzalez, 8 favorite grandchildren Hope Gonzalez Brown (Lee), Faith Gonzalez, Michael Saldana, Scott Lynn Gonzalez, Dr. Jeslene M. Renteria, Jonathan Saldana, Jesse Renteria III, and Juan Renteria, 2 great grandsons John Roy Fowler (Tabby) and Dell Clark, 4 great great granddaughters Rain, Clara, Melia, and Lucy Fowler, his sisters-in-law Margaret Canedo, Cecelia Trevino, Sandy Almendarez and brothers-in-law Joe Trevino, Robert Almendarez and numerous nieces and nephews.

We can’t thank his caretakers enough for all the patience, love and support they provided for him. Also, many thanks to his neighbors across the street (David and Barbara Dellagacoma) for always looking out for him as well as periodically mowing his front lawn.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 20, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary – McCullough, 1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212. The Rosary will immediately follow at 7:00 p.m. at the same location.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, a procession will depart from Porter Loring Mortuary at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78216.

Interment will follow at San Fernando Cemetery III, 1735 Cupples Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78226.

Click here to view his memorial slideshow: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sF2NaD9ch8NkjVyZQp8EIIs6Cy9a6yuw/view?usp=sharing