Johnny N Cavazos

Johnny N. Cavazos, 79, beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, and philanthropist entered into the glory of his eternal life on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville, TX surrounded by his loving family.

A native and lifetime resident of Brownsville, Johnny was born on May 5, 1933, a member of one of Brownsvilles first families that settled on this border.

Johnny graduated from Brownsville High School in 1950, where he lettered in football and track. After graduation he attended Texas Southmost College for one year. At TSC, he played during the colleges final football season. It was also during that year, that he met a young girl from San Benito named Nena, who would become his wife. They married on October 7, 1953, and would have celebrated 58 years of marriage this coming October.

In 1951, Johnny put his education on hold when he joined the United States Air Force to serve during the Korean War. Upon discharge, he entered St. Marys University in San Antonio and received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations in 1958.

As a young couple, Johnny and Nena returned to make Brownsville their home where they both worked as educators. Johnny was a coach at Central Junior High School and Nena taught Second Grade at Ebony Heights School, now Martin Elementary School. In 1965, the couple decided to strike out on their own.

Starting from a oneroom office, the Cavazos built a thriving independent insurance agency, offering general insurance policies specializing in group medical plans for businesses and public entities such as school districts, city governments, and the like.

Having built a successful business, and being firm believers in education, Johnny and Nena gave back to the community by establishing endowments to provide scholarships to high school and college students.

Their philanthropy began by sponsoring scholarships to Brownsville High School College bound students and in 2002, they a established an endowment at BISD to award scholarships to high school athletes to continue their education. That endowment fund is currently at 350,000.

While understanding the hardships and remembering their own experiences struggling to pay for college, the Cavazos established the Johnny N. and Nena S. Cavazos Scholarship Endowment for 500,000 in 2004, for students majoring in kinesiology. Johnny said sports taught him perseverance, teamwork, and discipline and kept him going thru high school and college. When I see a kid running track or playing football, I cant help but feel that he or she is a good kid.

In 2006, the Cavazos once again backed up their belief in higher education with an endowment of an additional 500,000 for student scholarships for elementary education majors. Johnny loved reading the cards and letters they received from grateful scholarship recipients. He kept them all and some would put a tear in his eye. When the students thanked us, it made it all worthwhile he said.

In May 2006, Texas Southmost College honored the couple with the highest award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award. They were the first husband and wife selected as joint recipients of the award. Johnny delivered the Commencement address and told the graduates, There is no limit to the gift you can share with others. Give back and share what you have received.

Johnny also served his community in various capacities. He was elected a Cameron County Commissioner in 1966. He was also quite active in numerous civic organizations including Charro Days, Inc. where he served as its president in 1976 and 1977 and continued to serve on its board as a Director. In 2002, he was selected as an honorary director. In 2010, he was honored as Parade Marshall for Charro Days.

A devout Catholic, Johnny and Nena were faithful parishioners at St. Marys Catholic Church. Always mindful of the many blessings God had bestowed on them, they shared those blessings with their church as well.

Johnny was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all those fortunate to have known him. Johnny will be remembered for his love of life, his gift of storytelling, kindness, and generosity.

Johnny was preceded in death his parents, Ezequiel Enking Cavazos and Rosaura Cortina Cavazos his three sisters: Nena Cavazos Bujanos, Mary Helen Cavazos Rivas, and Mary Cavazos Diaz.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of him is his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Nena S. Cavazos his brother, Prajedis G. Socorro Cavazos and numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. today, Friday, August 17, 2012 with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. this evening at St. Marys Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road. We ask that everyone meet at St. Marys for the Funeral Mass which will be at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, August 18, 2012. All services will conclude after the Mass, and cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, Johnnys family is requesting that memorial gifts in his name be made to the Johnny N. and Nena S. Cavazos Scholarship Fund, co UTB Office of Development, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Johnnys nephews P. G. Cavazos Jr., Dr. Antonio M. Diaz, Chris Bujanos, Mike Hernandez III, Emilio A. Sanchez, and David Sanchez are honored to be serving as pallbearers for their beloved uncle.

Nenas brother, Richard Sanchez and Johnnys nephews: Dr. Tom Diaz, Ricky Rivas, Enrique Sanchez III, Jorge Sanchez, and Luis Sanchez, will serve as honorary pallbearers. Additionally, Johnnys nieces: Dr. Diana N. Diaz, Diana Cavazos, Irene Ross, Ana Franklin, Norma Garza, Sonya Pea, Sandra Hernandez Rhine, Tina Sanchez, and Ana Carrasco will also serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation

St. Marys Catholic Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, August 17, 2012
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, August 17, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, August 18, 2012
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Val Verde Memorial Gardens Crematory
Donna, TX  78537

Memorial Contributions

c/o UTB Office of Development
Brownsville, TX  78520