Juan Jose Acuña Sr.

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, while life on this beautiful world was revolving, the life of a simple South Texas man slipped away into the heavenly kingdom of God and into the arms of all his loved ones who have gone before him, leaving behind 3 children who were left to grieve his passing and remember and celebrate all the wonderful triumphs he accomplished in his earthly life.

Juan Jose Acuña, born July 10, 1962, a loving father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 62. He was also affectionately known by cousins, nieces and nephews as “Chochie.”

Juan was genuinely a self-starter and that led him to acquire many technical skills throughout his life. After graduating from Orange Grove High School in 1980, he went straight to work gaining various skills which ranged from being a salesman, welder, truck driver, and a construction operator. He spent a majority of his career with Hayward Baker/Keller N.A. and worked his way up the ranks to become known as one of the most respected operators in the company. One of Juan’s greatest accomplishments, and a story that he loved to tell, was working on the levees in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. A sense of pride in ensuring future safety to those citizens of subsequent natural disasters was something he felt deep gratification from.

Above all else, Juan’s highest priority was making sure that his three children, Barbara, Juan Jr. (Jay-Jay), and Paul Dylan were taken care of. Even as his children aged into their 20s, 30s and 40s, they were still “his babies.”

Making B-B-Q not only made his children happy, but Juan would invite anyone and everyone over to partake in his feasts. Granted, some of the meat may have been a little more crisped than some may have liked, but it was all the same and still finger-licking good. When he was out on jobs, his countless co-workers, some who became very good friends, knew him to be the B-B-Q guy. Juan believed that a good B-B-Q was the perfect way to bring people together. Once grilling was complete, he was always up for some fishing, rooting for the Cowboys and Astros or taking in the breeze from the front porch of his home on Lake Corpus Christi.

In 2019, Juan had to make life-altering concessions to his everyday lifestyle and was forced to retire when he had to begin a new way of life that included dialysis. Even in his final few years, when his eyesight was giving, he never wavered on just being present. To him, life was all about family and friends.

Juan is preceded in passing by his father, Alberto Paulino Acuña; his mother, Dibolina Jasso Acuña; his brother, Alberto Acuña, Jr.; and his sister, Yolanda (Landy) Acuña. The youngest of four children, he is survived by his older brother, Arturo Acuña.

In addition, left on earth to treasure his memory are his children, Barbara Ann Acuña of Orange Grove, Texas, Juan Jose (Alexandra) Acuña, Jr. of Austin, Texas, and Paul Dylan (Deyanira) Acuña of Edinburg, Texas. Also left is the mother of his children, Mary Sanchez.

The children of Juan Jose Acuña Sr. would like to take the opportunity to thank all the nurses and staff, current and prior, at the DaVita dialysis center in Alice, Texas. In addition to his family, you all understood just how quick-witted Juan could be and how ready he was to make a joke of any situation. Thank you all for the many years of caring for our dad, we are eternally grateful.

Family will be receiving visitors at 3 PM on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Winsteads’ Funeral Home, where a Holy Rosary will be recited that same evening at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 AM on Monday, May 12, 2025, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 200 S. Metz St., Orange Grove, Texas. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Dilworth Cemetery (El Coyote) in Orange Grove, Texas, with a gathering of family and friends at the Civic Center of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church immediately afterwards.

Juan Jose Acuña Sr. lives on in the hearts and minds of his loving family and friends. May he rest in peace knowing that he did exceptionally well in this life.

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Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads' Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com