Juan "Johnny" Enriquez

Juan "Johnny" Enriquez, passed away on October 29, 2025 at the age of 73. Johnny spent his final days surrounded by his loving family.
Johnny was born in Elgin, Texas, to Eugenia and Rosalio Enriquez. When he was three years old, he and his family moved to Galveston Island, the place he would proudly call home for the rest of his life. Johnny took great pride in being part of the Galveston community-he loved its people, its history, and its spirit. His steadfast devotion to the island and its community reflected the true heart of a BOI and remained an enduring part of who he was.
In his youth, Johnny grew up in the Magnolia Homes, ("Mags") alongside his siblings. He often warmly referred to his old neighborhood as "the ghetto," speaking with both humor and pride about where he came from. Those formative experiences inspired his commitment to helping the youth of Galveston find their way and make positive choices. Johnny graduated from Ball High School in 1971 and later earned his associate degree from Galveston College. At 18, Johnny volunteered for the draft and served three years in the United States Army, spending part of his service in Vietnam.
One of Johnny's proudest achievements was his membership and his decade of service with the Galveston Boys and Girls Club. He first joined the Boys Club in 1966 and was honorably named Boy of the Year at the age 18. His passion for community service and talent for mentorship led him to become the Club's Athletic Director and later, in 1990, its Executive Director. Johnny dedicated his career to keeping kids off the streets and helping them grow into responsible, confident young adults. His devotion to Galveston's youth extended beyond the Club when Johnny served as a trustee, and eventual Board President, for the Galveston Independent School District. To many, he was simply known as "Coach" due to his many years coaching basketball and teaching boxing to local youth.
"My life is dedicated to the Boys Club and the meaning and aims behind it - teaching young people good sportsmanship, citizenship, and helping them stay away from trouble. To me, that's important work, and I'm proud to be part of it."
After retiring in 2002, Johnny continued his dedication to community service by helping his fellow Veterans. Having learned firsthand, the challenges of navigating through the bureaucratic processes to obtain his military benefits, he made it his mission to help others access the services they rightly earned and deserved. A proud member of the VFW Post 880 and the American Legion Post 20, Johnny spent countless hours guiding Veterans through the benefits process. In 2018, Johnny was elected Commander of American Legion Post 20, where he served honorably until 2024. During his tenure, he wrote articles to the local paper regarding aid for Veterans, organized community fundraisers, and helped secure benefits for numerous Veterans.
Johnny leaves an impactful and enduring legacy. His contributions and leadership served to improve the lives of many Veterans locally and beyond. His unwavering dedication to others, from guiding Galveston's youth to uplifting his fellow Veterans, positively influenced and inspired countless lives.
On a personal level, Johnny will be remembered by his many friends and family for his love of oldies music, his favorite beer Bud Light, and his steadfast devotion to his Dallas Cowboys.
Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, Eugenia and Rosalio Enriquez, his sister Antonia (Toni) Dominquez, and a sister who passed as an infant, Teresa Enriquez.
Johnny is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Mary (Derby) Enriquez; his cherished children and daughter-in-law, Danny (Renee) Carrie and Patrick; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gilbert (Marisol) Enriquez and Victor (Santy) Enriquez; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Guadalupe (Edward) Flores, Maria Lucye (Lionel) St. Pierre, and Alicia Enriquez; and many loving nieces and nephews. Johnny's spirit will live on through his family, who will carry his legacy forward by helping others, strengthening their community, and leading with the same compassion that will forever echo in the hearts of all who loved and knew him.