John "Johnny" Venza Jr.

Words – he loved them, mastered them, whirled them with joy, spun them with precision. But, no words exist to describe the gentle soul of John “Johnny” Lavery Venza Jr, beloved son, husband, father, uncle, brother in law, cousin, friend, colleague, and mentor. Though we lost our beloved Johnny far too soon, he was a star that burned fierce and bright.

Johnny was born in Dallas, Texas on August 28, 1975 to John and Stephanie Venza, brother to Caroline, Darby and Erin. As a boy, Johnny was particularly close with his maternal grandparents, Jewel and Fred and spent many a summer exploring their farm property in Dry Creek, Louisiana where he could fish, learn to drive stick shift, and occasionally get rescued out of tall trees by his big sister, Caroline.

Johnny was a proud alum of Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas, Texas, where he wrote for the school newspaper, played football, served on the student council, and graduated with honors. He would go on to graduate from the University of Texas (a fact evident by his ever present “hook em” sign in photos), and, after that South Texas College of Law, where he was an assistant articles editor on the Law Review and a mock trial champion.

Fitting for his maverick personality, Johnny’s first car was a red Mustang. At 16 years old, his law career started early as he stood alone in the courtroom to contest a speeding ticket. To the shock of his mother, nervously watching from the gallery, and the irritation of the district attorney, he won. It was a victory that planted the first seed of what would become a respected legal career. Outside the courtroom, he liked to joke that they had built the tollway like a racetrack, so of course people were going to race.

Johnny always lived with a deep reverence for the law and an equally healthy inclination to challenge it - attitudes that carried him into the law profession first as a prosecutor and then onto his own criminal defense practice.

Johnny married the love of his life, Victoria (Vicki) Mendoza, a fellow law school student, and they soon welcomed their beloved son, Jackson. To Jackson, Johnny was his best friend and the family's "party starter," always bringing spontaneity and a touch of mischief to everyday life. One of Johnny’s proudest moments was the day Jackson finally announced his favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys, not the Houston Texans. They debated the health of the team nearly everyday.

To Vicki, Johnny was her best friend until the end, co-conspirator in savoring life, her confidante, a mate who was perfect for her, brought sheer joy and fullness to her life, and never stopped making her heart skip a beat when he entered the room. Their vacations together–of which there were over 100– were the essence of their love story and where they forged their unbreakable bond and created thousands of beautiful memories and interesting stories to share with their family and friends, many of which involved a crazy trip to the ER, because Johnny was always looking for a fun adventure.

Johnny, Vicki, and Jackson loved the beach, especially those with clear, blue water. Johnny shared his love for fishing and snorkeling with Jackson on many trips to the Caymans or Mexico. Johnny’s happiest moments in life were those spent with Vicki and Jackson–”the team” as Johnny called them–on their many vacations. The anticipation of the next vacation with his family energized Johnny and fulfilled his need to keep life interesting.

Johnny valued family rituals. Most Sunday nights, he could be found grilling steaks for his family, a custom started by his own father. During the holidays, Johnny searched for the best recipes, made them his own, and never failed to “wow” his family with his culinary talents.

If there was one phrase that followed Johnny throughout his life, it was "the life of the party." Whether at a crawfish boil, a beach trip, a karaoke night, or a family gathering, he had a gift for putting people at ease, igniting laughter (and often, a large quantity of firewood), and telling hilarious, captivating stories.

Johnny was adored by his in-laws, Martha and Enrique Mendoza, who loved him as their own son and enjoyed their almost daily banter about sports and current events.

Johnny's Catholic faith was very important to him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to Catholic Charities.

Visitation and Catered Reception will be held at The Settegast-Kopf Company at Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478, US, on June 11, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the Rosary at the same location on June 11, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 705 St Theresa Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77498, US, on June 12, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Private Committal Service at Morton Cemetery.