Juan Jose Villarreal, Sr.

Juan Jose Villarreal, Sr. of Big Lake, Texas went to his eternal resting place on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 in San Angelo, Texas. He was 90 years old. Juan was born on August 13, 1931 in Purisima, Coahuila, Mexico to Victoriano Villarreal and Maria de Refugio Bocardo Villarreal. He grew up in Purisima where he completed primary school. It was during his school years in Purisima that he was given a nickname that stuck with him throughout his life. The story goes that Juan was participating in a school play where he was portraying a “borracho” who wore a serape as part of his costume; however, he forgot to tell his mother about the costume and had to grab a blanket, “colchas” in Spanish at the last minute so that he could still be in the play. From that point on, his friends began calling him “Colchas”, which Juan accepted with good humor. The nickname became a term of endearment for those who knew him. Juan “Colchas” was a life-long rancher, which began in his teenage years. It was at his family’s ranch that he learned the ranching business. He had a knack with animals and was known for his innate ability to tame them all. In fact, his family owned an aggressive bull that no one had been able to tame. When Juan was still a teenager, he decided that it was time to tame the bull. Within hours, not only had he tamed him, but he was also riding the bull and shepherding the herd back to their land. For many years to come, Juan would be called upon to tame animals near and far, which gave him the opportunity to travel to the United States and elsewhere. Juan married the love of his life, Petra Sanchez Villarreal, in 1953. They built a life with their children in Purisima and Acuna and were married for 21 years until her untimely death in 1974. When Juan became a widower, it was of the utmost importance to him that his family remain intact. He took great pride in the fact that he continued to raise his children, working hard to provide for them and ensuring that they knew and understood the meaning of unconditional love. He ultimately moved his family to the United States, living in St. Lawrence, Texas and Big Lake, Texas where he lived until the time of his death. Juan was a very hard worker and worked up until a few months before his death. As a young adult, he was a rancher, he worked on the Amistad Dam and in his later years he worked in the oil fields. He eventually returned to ranching, his passion, which he did for the remainder of his life. Juan had a very strong work ethic, instilling in his children the importance of an honest day’s work and providing for family. To Juan, family was everything. His joy came in the everyday moments of life when surrounded by family. He believed in respect and unity and wanted his legacy to be evident in the love that his children had for each other. He could oftentimes be found in the corrals in Big Lake, teaching his grandchildren how to care for animals. He was the center of attention at family gatherings, sharing laughs and making memories with his loved ones. Juan was an active member of the Sheriff’s Posse (Los Corrales) and La Familia Rancho Grande where he could be found playing cards with his friends on any given day. He was very well known in the Big Lake Community and didn’t know a stranger. Juan was preceded in death by his parents and eight sisters. He is survived by his children: Raymundo Villarreal and his late wife, Socorro; Jesse Villarreal and his late wife, Lupita; Maria de LaRosa and her husband, Reginaldo; Javier Villarreal and his wife, San Juana; Deyanira Marquez and her husband, Ricardo; Alicia Espinoza and her husband, Pablo; Gerardo Villarreal and his wife, Maria; Victor Villarreal; Juan Villarreal, Jr. and his wife, Cindy; Joe Villarreal and his wife, Samayra; Irma Reyes and her husband, Estaban; Moises Villarreal; Viviana Gonzales and her husband, Hector; sister, Leonarda Castaneda, and numerous grandchildren, great-grand-children, nieces and nephews. There will be a private family viewing on Sunday, February 27,2022 from 3:00-5:00 pm at Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southland Boulevard, San Angelo, Texas. The public viewing will take place on Monday, February 28,2022 from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm at the Big Lake Apostolic Church, 200 South Main Street, Big Lake, Texas. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Big Lake Apostolic Church, 200 South Main Street, Big Lake, Texas with the burial to follow at Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake, Texas.