Juan Navarro
August 10, 1931 – July 12, 2023
MCALLEN – Juan Navarro, 91, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. He was born August 10, 1931, in Mendoza, Texas.
He lived a long happy life with the love of his life, and wife of 73 years, Concepcion “Concha” Portales. They had eight children. Janie, Connie, Richard, Diana, Pascuala “Pat”, Maria Adalia “Dalia”, Rene, and Juan Jose “Chavy”. They had 31 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Juan learned to play guitar and enjoyed it thoroughly. He loved listening to guitar tunes from Santana. He used his talents to honor and worship God.
Juan and his family were involved in their Catholic faith. He assisted at St. Joseph the Worker Church on 23rd Street for years in the church choir band. He volunteered along with his wife Concha with ticket sales, Jamaicas, funerals, fundraisers, and whatever the church needed. Juan surrounded himself with artifacts of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and saints. He prayed until the end with his rosary clenched in his hand.
Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Cleofas and Pascuala Navarro, and his siblings Paula N. Ponciano, Andres, Jesus, Leandro, Antonio, Chuy, Eusebio “Chevo,” Max, and Andres “Mosquito” Navarro, his daughter Janie Balderas, sons in law Richard Balderas, Tomas Morales, Gabriel Vasquez, Alonzo “Lonnie” Buentello, granddaughter Cindy Navarro, and great-grandsons Efrain “E.J.” Balderas Jr. and Nathan Navarro.
He is survived by his children, Connie Vasquez, Richard (Alicia) Navarro, Diana Morales, Pat Buentello, Dalia Martinez, Rene (Gloria) Navarro, and Chavy Navarro; 30 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A Rosary and Memorial service will be held at 6 p.m., on Friday, July 14, at Ceballos Funeral Home, 1023 N 23rd St., McAllen, Texas 78501, with visitation Friday 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 – 9 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, at San Juan Diego Catholic Church, 3408 Idela Ave., McAllen, Texas 78501. Graveside service will follow (10:30) at La Piedad Cemetery, 1501 Wichita Street, McAllen, Texas 78501.