Juan Manuel Macareno, 72, went to be in the presence of our heavenly father on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 surrounded by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, brothers, and sister in his Kingsville home.
Macareno was born in Mercedes, Texas to Julian and Dolores Macareno on May 1, 1948. He was the eldest of 14 brothers and sisters. At the age of 15, the family moved to San Joaquin Valley in California and eventually established a home in Tulare, CA where he married Margaret Alonzo in 1968.
Macareno will most be recognized as the person who would be a quick problem solver for family and friends or helping with yards or car repair. It was common to find him the following day attending to the issue or need discussed the previous day.
In California, Macareno started in food service and quickly was promoted to management positions in restaurants before he made his way to Texas in 1977. His uncle Marcos Macareno called on him to help manage his Mexico Bakery Tortilla factory operations. Later in the 1980's, he returned to the West Coast for a short time where the flour tortilla industry was rapidly growing. He was among the first to manage a launch of tortilla production and distribution on a large scale while at La Mejor de Valle in Farmersville, CA where his parents had established a home.
In the mid-80's he returned to Texas to continue in the tortilla business. He managed Old Mexico Bakery Tortillas in Austin, and then later started his own company, Los Hermanos Tortillas, with his brothers Julian and Raymond in San Angelo, TX.
In the early 1990's, he returned to Kingsville, TX and briefly worked for Mexico Bakery, which had changed ownership. A short time later, he left to manage HEB tortilla plant in Corpus Christi followed by owning and operating La Victoria Tortillas in Kingsville five years later.
Eventually, he put the tortilla business behind him and became an important part in the development and growth of his sons, Johnny's and Rudy's business, Macareno Signs, and later David's business as well in Alice. He offered business consulting and helping his sons when and where possible until last year before falling ill.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Margaret A. Macareno; grandson, Frankie; his father and mother, Julian and Dolores; brothers, Manuel, Martin, and Catarino; and sisters, Stephanie and Rosie.
He is survived by his son, Johnny and his spouse, Myrna, and their two sons, Alex and Santiago and daughter, Genesis; son, Rudy and his sons, Rudy Jr. and Jonathan, and daughter, Faith; son, David and his sons, Elijah, Joshua, Jacob, Seth, Jerry, and twin daughters, Hannah and Lilly; daughter, Anna and her spouse, Roxanne, and their son, Alfonso; and son, Manuel. Surviving siblings are Robert, Julian, Jimmy, Roy, Mary, Raymond, Ruben, and Augie.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home, and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Christian Church, 1624 E. Santa Gertrudis St., Kingsville. A Religious Service will be held at 6:30 p.m.
The following day, Monday, March 22, a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Christian Church with Pastor Rogelio Faragoza and Assistant Pastor David Macareno officiating. Burial will follow the Graveside Service at Chamberlain Cemetery.