Tributes

Rev. Gerardo Ortiz Juarez went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2020. He was born in Garfield, Tx to Esteban and Rita (Ortiz) Juarez on September 24, 1930. Rev Gerardo Juarez is survived by his wife Beatrice Juarez; sons Steve (Martina) and Gerardo Jr.; daughters Elizabeth (Joe) and Loretta Herrera. Grandchildren Steven Joseph Juarez (Korinna), Gabriella Juarez, Victoria Garcia, Carolina Herrera, and Sophia Herrera. Great grandson Nicolai Juarez. Also survived by his sister Valentina Hernandez; and numerous loving nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by his sister Mary Morales. After being widowed, his mother moved her son along with her daughters, Mary and Valentina, to San Antonio. Rita became ill and was advised by her doctor to prepare her young family for her soon departure. A lady in the neighborhood invited her to a church where they prayed for the sick. She accepted the invitation and was prayed over that evening. She returned home completely healed. She asked Gerardo to accompany her to the church the following evening. This was the first time he entered the small, dirt floor church he would eventually pastor for 67 years. That evening he surrendered his life to the Lord and shortly thereafter, received his “call” to the ministry. He graduated from Latin American Bible Institute, Ysleta, TX, in 1953. Those years in LABI impacted him until the end of his life. In his final days, he would ask me to take him home to Ysleta. On July 9, 1960 he married Beatrice Santillan. They came days short of celebrating 60 years of marriage. He was, by nature, a loyal friend to all those who came into his life. He would mention countless names with such deep fondness i.e. Rev. Kenzy Savage, Rev. Jose Giron; classmates from LABI Manuel Garza, Joe Leyva, and Icela Martinez. He served as Presbyter of the East San Antonio Section. During those years, he took great joy in overseeing new churches spring up around the San Antonio area. He poured his heart into new and upcoming ministers such as: Mario and Nora Aguirre, and Armando and Sonia Rodriguez. In order to supplement his income, he eventually began to work at Guadalupe Lumber Company where he had the privilege of becoming friends with the Grothues family. Phil Grothues soon proved to be not only his boss, but one of his dearest friends. Common friends of Phil and Gerardo were: Rev. H. C. Ball and Rev. Josue Sanchez. He never forgot the contribution these men, together with many others, poured into his life. In the same manner, he poured his life into the members of the congregation of Templo Elim. He loved them, and watched over them, as a shepherd watches over his sheep. The “Great Commission” never waned in his heart. His daily routine was to arrive early to the church and pray. Afterward, he would walk around the building to see what needed to be repaired. Whenever there was a church service, he was always the first to arrive and open up and always the last to leave and lock up. Until the very end, he expressed his concern for the members. He always needed to be assured they were all fine… and if the light switches had been turned off at the church. As his family and the members of Templo Elim, we lift our hands and voices to the Lord in a chorus of gratitude for having allowed us to experience His chosen servant as our Pastor. We, the family of Rev. Juarez, want to thank all of those who have so lovingly reached out to us in expressing your love for him throughout our District and the former Gulf Latin American District. We also want to thank Rev. Manuel Vallejo III and Rev. Oscar Guajardo and Oscar Jr. for visiting our father in his final hours. And our sincere gratitude to our Pastor David De La Rosa, who has been there for us throughout these days. And to every member and former member of Templo Elim, whose hearts feel the loss as much as we do. We love you, Elim! God bless the fruit of your hands, Pastor Juarez.

Tributes

Gerardo Juarez

September 24, 1930 - July 3, 2020