Juan Bilzen Cuellar, Jr

Juan Bilzen Cuellar Jr., 76 years old, was called home by the Lord on Wednesday October 9, 2024 at

Spohn Hospital on Shoreline with his wife Sylvia at his side.

He was born in Falfurrias, TX on December 2, 1947 to Juan Bilzen Cuellar Sr. and Guadalupe Perez

Cuellar. He graduated from Falfurrias High School in 1966 and went off to serve in the United States Navy

where he became a veteran of the Vietnam War after he was honorably discharged. He attended Texas A&I

University in Kingsville for 4 years, and in 1977 he met Maria Sylvia Longoria, a ranch girl from Encino, at

Cantu's Supermarket where he worked for about a week. They married in 1978 and raised two children

together, a son and a daughter, Jonathan Rene Cuellar and Jessica Marie Cuellar Lopez. Juan also had a

grandson that he would take care of which was a small dog named Max. Together, they developed a playful

bond as he would endlessly throw the ball for him, take him for rides to the ranch, and sing to him to cheer

him up when his daughter was away at work. They played until they both grew old with aches and pains and

couldn't play anymore.

Juan led a remarkable life and touched the hearts of many with his music, wit, and joyful sense of

humor. At an early age, he was known for being an extremely talented musician who played multiple

instruments. He led his own orchestra in high school and played with several South Texas Tejano music

groups. Later in life, he played guitar with the Spanish Choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for many years.

Then he found enjoyment singing with (Brother Ed) Eddie Pulido and his wife at St. Theresa Catholic Church in

Premont. Later, he accompanied his daughter at the Sacred Heart Church English Mass and sang with her

many times until he had an accident that left his shoulder in constant pain for five years up to his death.

Throughout his life, Juan treasured God and his family above all else. He loved driving his wife, in-laws,

and children wherever they needed to go. He also never missed an opportunity to visit with family members

to discuss the events of the day or to selflessly assist them with anything they needed, and during the

holidays, a guitar would occasionally find its way into his hands after a filling meal.

Juan, who was a man of many talents, loved to work outside in the hot weather because it warmed his

bones and gave him vitality. He found his therapy and contentment in woodwork, grinding and welding metal,

mowing the lawn, doing ranch work, and fixing many things around the house with a bright mind that had a

lot of common sense. Most of all, he was a perfectionist like his dad who shared an unparalleled attention to

detail.

Juan was also a member of the VFW Post 7634 in Falfurrias where he served as a chaplain and played

taps at many veteran funerals as a bugler. He was a person that was always ready to help those in need, and

his contagious enthusiasm for life was shared by all who were fortunate to meet him. He was a beloved father,

husband, grandpaw, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Juan B. Cuellar Jr. is preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Guadalupe Cuellar Sr.; brother, Richard

V. Cuellar; and granddog Max who passed away a day before him (10/8/24).

He is survived by his wife, Maria Sylvia Cuellar; son, Jonathan Cuellar; and daughter and son-in-law,

Jessica and Jesus V. Lopez Jr..

Those left to cherish his memories are his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Helen and Delfino Villarreal

Jr.; brother, Martin Cuellar; nieces, Deanna Stevens, Deandra (Paul) Travis, Dalissa (Jerry) Hamer; nephew,

David (Evelyn) Villarreal, numerous great nieces and nephews, and extended family.

Visitation will be held at 8:30am on October 14th, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in

Falfurrias, Tx. There will be a Rosary at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am. Burial will be in

Encino, Tx at LLL Family Ranch Cemetery. Afterward, there will be lunch at the Southern Brooks

Fire Department in Encino.

Pallbearers: Jonathan Rene Cuellar, Jesus V. Lopez Jr.,

David Villarreal, Zachery Villarreal,

Robert Garza, Miguel Cuellar,

Pedro Rodriguez, Jose O. Garza,

Noe Martinez, Ramon Huerta Jr