Tributes

U.S. Army (Ret.) Iraqi war veteran, retired First Sergeant, former Marine, retired School Teacher/ Administrator. Born January 2, 1948 in Roma, Texas to Trinidad and Ramona Barrera. He passed away Thursday, July 11, 2024 at the age of 76. His Mother and Father divorced when he was three years old, and as a result, moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he grew up and was raised by his uncle and aunt, Frank and Julia Rodgers. He is preceded in death by his biological parents, and his aunt and uncle that raised him in San Antonio, Texas and his sister, Marcelina “Margarita”. He is survived by his second wife, Edna Barrera; sons and daughters, Alfred, Jr. (Shana), Melissa (Lawrence), Adrian (Jackie), Jessica and Monica (Loren); daughters, Sonia, Barbara, Patricia from a previous marriage. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Emily and Matthew, Alexia, Alyssa and Alessandra, Makayla, Luke and Madysen, Catalina and Ariana, and Allegra; also his first wife, Stella Barrera; his brothers and sisters, Victor, Gloria (Rogelio), Eddie (Esther) and many, many cousins. Alfred Barrera had a long, happy, and busy life filled with many accomplishments. He attended John F. Kennedy and Edgewood High Schools. After his graduation from Edgewood High School, he joined the Marine Corps. Upon completion of his first enlistment, he did an additional two years of Marine Corps Reserves. As soon as he returned from the Marine Corps he returned to his education at St. Mary’s University where he completed a degree in Education and became a School Teacher. A few years later, he completed a Master’s Degree in School Administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He worked as a School Administrator for a few years but returned to the classroom because the pay was higher in the classroom. With five children to raise, the higher pay was important. He also worked at evening jobs in department stores most of his life. A few years after returning from the Marine Corps, he missed military life and served an additional eighteen years with the Army National Guard, where he retired as a Company First Sergeant and served in Iraq and Bosnia, while he was a school teacher. He earned 28 military medals. His parents made sure he received a well rounded education and made sure he and his siblings participated in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, piano lessons, folkloric dancing, ROTC, and boxing. He was very supportive of his sons and daughters while they participated in all sports and music from elementary school all the way to University level. They all attended college and universities and graduated. They are now very successful in their chosen professions. Alfred Barrera credited his long and successful life to his parents great genes and his happiness and rich life to God and his generosity for giving him life his wife, and for his sons and daughters. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M. followed by the Rosary at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. The Procession will depart the Funeral Home Chapel at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 for the Funeral Mass to begin at 9:30 A.M. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst. Interment with Military Honors will follow at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road.

Tributes

Alfred Jesus Barrera, Sr.

July 11, 2024