Weslaco- Juan "Tiny" Mercado passed away this morning in a tragic car accident. He was born on February 24th, 1998 in Harlingen, Texas to Juan Mercado III and Eloisa Villa. He had an older sister, Bianca, and a younger brother, Johnathan. Juan was nicknamed "Tiny" as a baby because he was only 5 pounds. As he got older, her really didn't like the name, but it just stuck and everyone new him as "Tiny". He grew up quick as dad was away from the home. Tiny loved his dad and promised to take care of the family, so he took his role as the man of the house. He loved his mom and his brother and sister and always watched out for them. When most of his freinds were getting tattoos of emblems or fun art, he got a tattoo with his mom's name, with her permission of course. Juan was a smart young man. He was too bored to stay in high school, but he was a hard worker and had an entrepreneurial spirit. He could pick up just about any trade. He did electrical work and he could fix most cars. He worked in construction and most recently he had a contract with Lowe's and Home Depot to paint their buildings. The next project on his list was to paint a commercial building his family owned because he wanted to open up a business. Tiny loved to go fishing when he had a chance. He also loved racing cars and going mudding in his truck. He loved dirt bikes and guns, really most anything that was outdoors. There were some indoor things he liked. He went to the movies every Tuesday night with his girlfriend Stephanie He also loved to go to St. Jude's Catholic Church in Pharr to light candles. He would go on his own and sometimes he and his mom would go together a just sit in silence as they prayed. Tiny will mostly be remembered by his one of a kind, true genuinely giving personality. He was known to stop and help anyone on the side of the road. He was the first to start a fundraiser and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He was a gentle, kind spirited young man, who believed in God and his Catholic faith. Juan is preceded in death by his grandfather, Juan Mercado Jr., and his aunt, Norma Erica Mercado. He is survived by his parents Juan and Eloisa Mercado of Mercedes, his paternal grandmother, Maria del Carmen Mercado of Weslaco, his maternal grandparents, Pancho and Guadalupe Villa of Mercedes, his sister, Bianca Eloise Mercado, his brother, Johnathan Eli Mercado, his longtime girlfriend and companion, Stephanie Lozano, his uncles, Fernando Villa of Mercedes, Eloy Villa (Terry) of Mercedes, Martin Villa (Janie) of Weslaco, Jesse Villa of Weslaco, Julian Diaz of Donna, Joel Angel Mercado of Mercedes, and Ruben Mercado of Mercedes, his aunts, Ninfa Villa of Weslaco, Janie Mercado of Alamo, Irma Estevenes (Richard) of Weslaco, and Ana Mercado of San Juan, cousins, Fernando Pancho, Naomi, Fernando, Orlando, Eloy Jr., Brianna, Martin Jr., Victoria, Vivian, Bernice, Chelsea, and Richard Estevenes Jr., Christopher Flores, Kassandra Mercado, Steven Estevanes, Priscilla Estevanes, Valerie Flores, Michelle Fernandez, Stephanie Mercado, Ruben Mercado Jr., Kristina Mercado, Angel Mercado Jr., Nathan Mercado, Julius Diaz Jr., Julian Diaz, Alyssa Diaz, Klarissa Mercado, Destiny Rodriguez, Samantha Quintanilla, Daniel Villa, Joel Angel Mercado, Judith Mercado, his beautiful niece who he loved dearly, Kendra Armani, and his faithful companion, Duke, his Great Dane. Visitation will be Friday, July 14, 2017 from 10:30am - 9pm, with a 7pm rosary at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Mass will be Saturday at 12pm at Sacred Heart Church in Mercedes with burial to follow at Sacred Park Cemetery in Mercedes. Serving as pallbearers will be Ruben Mercado, Daniel, Orly, Fernie, Eloy Jr., and Tino Villa, honorary pallbearers, Julian and Julius Diaz and Ruben Mercado Jr.