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Juan (Juanito)'s Obituary
Juan “Juanito” Marin
Beloved Cousin & Friend to Many
August 1, 1950 – November 27, 2025
Juan “Juanito” was born in Progresso. Texas on August 1, 1950. His mother, Socorro Marin, died giving birth to Juanito. His father left before he was born. Juanito was born premature and was told by the medical doctor that he most likely would not live a few days. He was born with one hand and one kidney. However, his grandparents, Jesus & Sylvina Marin, embraced the child of their daughter and took Juanito home to care for him. And he indeed experienced deep care and love from them. His first language was Spanish, and later, learned and spoke some English.
Mr. & Mrs. Marin owned a small grocery store in Progresso, Texas; their small, humble home was next to their business, which made it easier for both to run the business while raising Juanito. As time went on, everyone in that small town learned about Juanito and befriended him as he grew up. He made his First Holy Communion in St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Weslaco. In fact, he used his mother’s little prayer book that year and held it during the photo taken with his First Holy Communion suit.
When Mr. & Mrs. Marin were no longer able to care for Juanito, their son, Sergio Marin, took Juanito into his home. His wife and four children would travel by motor home to various farms to seek employment in the fields. This was Juanito’s life for numerous years. In 1990, Sergio, now a widower, his adult children on their own; took Juanito and moved to The Colony, a suburb north of Dallas.
They continued their work in the fields, traveling as far north as Oklahoma picking and selling fruit. Then their work brought them back to The Colony. Through the years, Juanito befriended many; from those who purchased fruit from Sergio and him to those in the medical community, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Upon Sergio’s death, Juanito moved into a friend’s home. Being a “people person” he enjoyed spending time talking with grocers, neighbors, stores he patronized and joined the local Senior Community. There he met many friends who remained close to him to the end. Unable to drive due to his physical handicap and the fact that he couldn’t read or write; did not deter him from being active. He memorized numbers to call friends, recognized streets, brand names and store signs.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer, despite the chemo treatment; his Oncologist did not see any improvement and informed Juanito of this unexpected news. About this time, Juanito reconnected with his cousin, Mary Jane Fox by phone. Mary Jane’s father was Juanito’s mother’s brother.
That same year, Mary Jane and her husband, Tom visited him at his home at The Colony and learned further about his situation. It was decided Juanito would reside with the Foxes in San Antonio.
In March of 2024; the journey from The Colony to San Antonio was difficult one for Juanito. He was leaving familiar surroundings, friends, his active senior center life to San Antonio.
It wasn’t long after his move to San Antonio, Juanito asked to join a local Senior Center, met new friends and would enjoy occasional outings with them at locally own Mexican restaurants to enjoy the traditional Mexican food.
Thanks to a visit to Texas Oncology Center of San Antonio and a caring Oncologist, Dr. Hycienth, Juanito began a “new program with chemotherapy” early in 2024. After the program was completed, in August 2024, we were told the good news: “cancer is in remission!” What joy! Juanito hugged Dr. Hycienth and thanked him for a “few more months”.
Being the joyful and active extrovert that he is; Juanito enjoyed being with the Foxes at presentations throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio, attended a Catholic Men’s Conference where he met Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller and received his blessing, he assisted Mary Jane at the Catholic Seniors Conference distributing information about Pilgrim Center of Hope, and would greet persons attending an event at Pilgrim Center of Hope. Oh yes, Juanito, was indeed a “people person” and took pride in showing guests and his friends the campus of Pilgrim Center of Hope, most especially the Chapel where he often prayed.
His ’old fashion flip phone’ made it easy for him to continue his conversations with friends living in the Dallas area, sharing his activities, adding that he was now able to attend Mass weekly, sometimes daily and receive the Eucharist! He became a parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and looked forward to attending Saturday vigil Mass and greeting the ushers.
His faith was strengthened living at Pilgrim Center of Hope, befriending the staff and volunteers, participating at various evangelization events, conferences, praying with staff in the chapel and meeting clergy and religious.
In January 2025, the news of a recent PET scan came; the cancer was back and had spread through his lungs, brain, and abdomen. It was devastating news, and upon hearing the medical choices; Juanito decided not to choose any treatment.
He said, “I thank God for the extra time given me and am so grateful for this time I have had living a happy life, I trust God will take care of me.” His health slowly declined and on April 15, 2025, Juanito began hospice care at home.
Juanito’s character and personality wasn’t succumbed, he enjoyed being in the middle of the action at Pilgrim Center of Hope, greeting, listening, and simply enjoying life as his health permitted.
On November 10, he was confined to a wheelchair. And on November 21st, he was confined to bed. To the very end, he asked to receive Eucharist, which he did.
Juanito’s life involved suffering, trials, challenges, and illness; he could not read or write; however, he had a deep awareness of his surroundings and had common sense that led him to live a life outside of false pretenses. He was without guile. He made friends easily because he was genuinely a happy person and saw the good in others.
He had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Martin de Porres. His favorite prayer was the Hail Mary (in Spanish).
“Everything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden could be a prayer, if it were offered to God". (words of St. Martin de Porres)
Juanito lived that – he made the most of what was before him. Please remember Juanito’s joy and love for others.
Go dear cousin, dear friend to the arms of our Savior!
Go into the arms Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Eternal rest great unto him, O Lord, may your perpetual light shine upon him,
may his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Amen.
If you would like to offer a Mass for Juanito, mail a donation of $10.00 per Mass to:
Prince of Peace Catholic Church,
7893 Grissom Road,
San Antonio, Texas 78251
Attn: Fr. Jo Joseph
Funeral Mass Details
Friday, December 5, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church,
7893 Grissom Road
San Antonio, Texas
- 9:00am Visitation
- 9:30am Rosary
- 10:00am Mass
Committal after Mass at San Fernando Cemetery #2
746 Castroville Rd
San Antonio, TX 78237
