Juvenal M. Villegas

Juven Villegas of El Paso, TX, devout Catholic, loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend returned to God’s arms on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Juven loved his family, was dedicated to helping others, and enjoyed making everyone who he met smile. He never met a stranger; Juven provided unconditional love and faith. His smile and friendly spirit captured hearts, eyes, and ears. He was born on November 23, 1953 in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico to Juvenal Alonso and the late Alejandra (Menchaca) Villegas. Juven was the youngest of five children. His father enlisted in the Bracero Program in the late 1950’s, which made it possible for the family to move to the Segundo Barrio in El Paso, TX, where Juven grew up and met his wife Elsa at the age of 17. They received the holy sacrament of marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on October 20, 1973. Juven, along with his wife, was a loyal and fervent member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, catechist, choir member, Cursillista and ACTS brother. Juven was always delighted to see his friends from the church community, and his loving mentors, los Frailes Siervos de Maria. Juven’s words always embraced the phrases, “Gracias a Dios” y “Con Dios todo se puede”. He was a proud employee of the David L. Carrasco Job Corps from 1978 to 2008, mentoring hundreds of young men and women throughout his 30 years of service. He loved changing lives and lived to inspire others, especially the students of Job Corps. Juven ran into his former students everywhere he went, even during his many travels with his family. He glowed when they would stop him to say hello, invite him for coffee, and share their stories of success. He spent the last part of his career working part-time at Longhorn Electrical Services with his sons, and in the home health industry visiting senior adults, singing to them and providing them with nourishment and comfort. It was his honor to go out of his way to make their day special. Juven loved his family and cherished every moment with them. He loved his grandchildren and treasured taking them to buy potato chips, slurpies, and pizza. He especially loved to travel to Universal Studios and to see the New York Yankees play at multiple major league stadiums. He looked forward to organizing countless road trips for his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews. He was loyal to his father and siblings, visiting, calling them, and having breakfast with them several times a week. With the grace of God, unquestionably, he made time for his family and friends, helped underserved youth and senior adults, and made a difference in people’s lives, every day. Juven spent over 20 years of his life playing softball with the Alley Cats, Zapata, El Paso Kings, Strikers, and Marlboro, to name a few, earning him a place in the El Paso Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 2015. He is joined in the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame by his grandson, Eric Anthony Villegas. Juven is a 1972 graduate of El Paso High School and a 2006 graduate of The University of Texas at El Paso. Juven is survived by his beloved and beautiful wife, Elsa; his children, Alejandra, Eric, Erika, Isaac (Melisa); his grandchildren, Emily, Jaime, Eric Anthony, Angel, Isaac Aiden, Emma Juliette, and Jayden Kalel; his father, Juvenal Alonso; his siblings, Mario (Felipa), Guillermina (Rey), Enrique (Sylvia), and Elvira (Rudy); and his loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. Juven is accompanied in heaven by his beautiful mother, Alejandra Menchaca Villegas. Family, friends, and others whose lives Juven touched are invited to a visitation and rosary on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Sunset Funeral Home on 750 N. Carolina. Visitation hours are from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. with a Rosary from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Masks are required for those in attendance. With all kindness, the family requests that all be strong and respect social distancing recommendations enforced by the funeral home staff. For those not attending, the service will be streamed live on the Sunset Funeral Homes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Sunset-Funeral-Homes-136369059744658/ The burial service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Mount Carmel Cemetery (Sacred Heart lot). Pallbearers include Eric Villegas, Eric Anthony Villegas, Isaac Villegas, Isaac Aiden Villegas, Jaime Soto, Angel Soto, and Emily Soto. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, located at 7712 Rosedale Street, El Paso, TX 79915. "Con Dios todo se puede." – Juven Villegas