Juan "J.J." Castillo

Juan Juventino "J.J." Castillo

October 9, 1945 - October 25, 2025

“I know that I shall one day see the goodness of the Lord, 

When God will wipe away our tears and death will be no more.

I know that my Redeemer lives, that I shall rise again.”

-Scott Soper, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

A man of steadfast faith, Juan Juventino Castillo, began his journey to his eternal home on Saturday, October 25, 2025, to meet his heavenly Father and reunite with his two sons. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday with his family.

Juan met his wife of 57 years when he was only 17, and they began a long courtship. He joined the Navy and honorably served a tour of duty on the USS Observation Island. Upon returning home, the couple pursued degrees in education at Texas A&I University in Kingsville. They soon married, and following graduation, they moved back to Laredo to settle and begin their teaching careers and raise their family. Juan worked at Christen Middle School and later joined the federal government, first with Immigration and Naturalization Services and later with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He retired in 2018.

Committed to community service, Juan was active in many local organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo, the Knights of Columbus Laredo Council #2304, Third Degree, and Assembly 1129, Fourth Degree. He served as a sponsor for the youth of the Customs Explorer Program. As one of the original members of St. John Neumann, he actively participated in the Men’s Club, sponsored the Altar Servers, and became a Lector. He passed on to his children his dedication to community, his strong work ethic, and a wealth of practical wisdom including the proper way to load a dishwasher (a skill only he truly mastered), the most efficient way to fill a trashcan (spooning disposable tableware to save space), how to hold a steering wheel for safety in case of an unexpected sneeze (don’t ask), and how to ensure no food ever went to waste through his culinary creation, the beloved “egg surprise.”

He was preceded in death by his adult sons, Marco Gabriel and Roberto Manuel; grandchildren, Gianna Louisa and Josemaria Pici, parents, Juventino and Celia Castillo; and siblings, Celia Cobos and Lucia Rosalinda Perron.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Lilia G. Castillo; his children, Juan J. Castillo, Jr. and Melissa Marie (Matthew Francis) Pici; honorary son-in-law, Raul Guerra; daughters-in-law, Doreen Hale-Castillo and Joyce Castillo; grandchildren, Marco J. Castillo, Roberto O. Hale, Julia C. Castillo, Natalie I. Castillo, Isabella E. Pici, Marianna C. Pici, William M. Pici, and Antonio G. Pici; siblings, Maria Teresa Flores, Gabriel C. Castillo, and Victor M. Castillo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended relatives, and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday evening, October 31, 2025 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025 departing at 10:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to St. John Neumann Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Honor Guard and Laredo Veterans Honor Guard.

Pallbearers will be Victor M. Castillo, Marco J. Castillo, Roberto O. Hale, Victor A. Castillo, Randall G. Brantley, and Faustino A. Cobos.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Fernando A. Cobos, Fabian A. Cobos, Francisco A. Cobos, William M. Pici, Antonio G. Pici, and Carlos Mercado.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mohsen Mahani, Dr. J.R. Garcia, Dr. Rafael A. Mangual, and the Laredo Medical Center doctors and nurses.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.