Juan Antonio Latigo Sr.

PROGRESO - Progreso- Juan Antonio Latigo, 90, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 15th, 2016. He was born on May 30, 1926, to, Teodoro Latigo and Antonia Camacho in Mexico. He would come to the United States in his late teens, where he would meet the love of his life, Benita Vela. They would enjoy nearly seventy years of marriage. She preceded him in death by merely a month. When Juan first came to the United States, he worked in the field. Later, Juan began to support his family by working with his father in law. They ran the water pumps for the irrigation district. Back then, this required 24- hour supervision, so Juan would work the night shift, many times, sleeping outside. When his father in law retired, Juan took over his position as pump operator. He worked for Irrigation District #5 for thirty- five years until his retirement. Juan also learned to raise additional income through one of his hobbies, barbequing. He loved to make Barbacoa, the old fashioned way. He would dig a hole, place the fresh cow head inside and cover. This would cook all night. He decided to start selling his treat to raise money when his daughter wanted to become the church queen, which she did. He soon learned that his barbeque was highly sought after, so he would sell barbacoa often, most times, he was doing this to raise money for his church. His barbecue fundraisers helped build the new church. Juan was also a good Catholic boy. He would make sure to raise his eight children to love and honor God. They went to mass every Sunday and CCD on Wednesdays. CCD was held outside under a tree before the fundraisers. Juan was a part of the Men's Church Club. Juan was also a very generous man. He would literally "give the shirt off his back", and his pants, when needed. As the pump operator, Juan would often run into illegals who were in desperate need of help. Many times they needed clothes, so Juan would give them his clothes. His wife once warned him, "Viejo, you only have one pair of pants left.". He once came across a young couple who had just had a baby in an outhouse and they were in need of medical help. Others had promised to help, but never returned, Juan got them to the hospital. When Juan wasn't working, barbecuing, or helping at the church, he loved to watch a good western movie and he loved horses himself. He also loved to watch Wonder Woman, many times, he would come home for lunch just to catch an episode. Juan is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Benita V. Latigo, and he is survived by his nine children, Jose Latigo, Sr. and wife, Aracely, Gerardo Latigo and wife, Janie, Mary Latigo, Rosalinda Anderson, and husband Ceasar, Juan Latigo Jr. and wife, Mary D., Emma Martinez and husband, Jose, Alma Cazares and husband, Juan, and Benito Latigo Sr. and wife, Rosa Linda, and Juanita Latigo, 25 grandchildren, Jose Latigo, Jr., Sylvia Gonzalez, John Latigo, Julio Latigo, Debbie Perez, Cindy Castro, Christie Johnson, Michelle Reyna, Brenda Anderson, Ceasar Anderson, Wesley Anderson, Lori L. Alaniz, Crystal Hall, Marissa Latigo, Elizabeth Anzaldua, Joe Martinez, Jr., Emily Huerta, John D. Martinez, Ashley Ruiz, Juan Casarez, III, Maria V. Latigo, Benito Latigo, Jr., Gerardo Latigo, Candace Berwise, Paul Berwise , and 42 great grandchildren, Trae & Ryan Latigo, Aaron, Deana, Laura & Isaac Gonzalez, Mia Latigo, Jasmine & Jiselle Latigo, Jessie Morales, Alfredo Perez, Bianca, Trae & Nathan Castro, Madeline, Catherine, Allison Johnson, Justine Jimenez, Enrique Garza, Alexia, Michelle, Jose III & Alejandro Reyna, Austin, Matthew & Marty Silguero, Jr., Lalen P. Anderson, Brayden Anderson, Arilynn Alaniz, Kaylee & Deziree Anzaldua, Hannah Hall, Landon Martinez, Alessandra, Katyanna & Elijah Huerta, Allison & Penelope Martinez, Sebastian Ruiz, Mia & Sofia Casarez, Maxim O. Latigo.