Joaquin Medrano

1932 - 2024

Weslaco - Joaquin Medrano, from Edcouch-Elsa, a retired educator, and lifetime bachelor, passed away on March 27, 2024. Joaquin was not only a loving son and a loving brother within his family, but also a trailblazer and role model. Born during the depression, Joaquin was quick to recall the life challenges his parents, siblings, and he faced. He became a trailblazer in 1950 when he was the first in his family to become a law enforcement officer and a Korean War veteran. He served as a Senior Air Policeman in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954. Joaquin's legacy as a law enforcement trailblazer is attested by the fact that two of his brothers, one cousin, several nephews and nieces, and two grandnephews chose law enforcement as a profession. Joaquin's service to country was followed by eight of his brothers. The youngest of his eight brothers saw combat action in Vietnam. His family leadership was also evident by the fact that he was the first in the family to graduate college. His college degree enabled him to help in the growth and development of thousands of elementary school children. He taught and/or served as a school administrator at the following Rio Grande Valley school districts; Edcouch-Elsa, Donna, La Joya, and Edinburg. He also spent seven years as an educator in California, where he served as a Teacher Corps Team Leader. Between school year calendars, he taught children of valley migrant farmworkers who traveled to midwestern states and New York.

Joaquin's status as a role model is attested by the fact that several of his siblings followed him to higher education campuses. Six brothers and one sister attended college. Five of the seven graduated college. The higher education accomplishments of Joaquin's siblings served to inspire several of his nephews and nieces to also graduate college. They are now professionals in education, law, banking, law enforcement, accounting, health care professions, and business. Though he never had children of his own, Joaquin frequently expressed pride in the accomplishments of his nieces and nephews.

Joaquin is preceded in death by his parents, Eduardo and Guadalupe Medrano. Siblings who have preceded him in death include, one sister Concepcion (Connie) Medrano, and eight Brothers; Domingo Medrano, Rafael Medrano, Narciso Medrano, Magdaleno Medrano, Perfecto Medrano, Ramiro Medrano, Alonso Lopez, and Arturo Lopez. He is survived by four siblings, two brothers: Daniel from San Antonio and Enrique from Houston, and two sisters, Reynalda Munoz from Sanger, CA, and Herminia Trevino from Corpus Christi.

Six of his nephews: Eduardo Medrano, Rolando Medrano, Javier Medrano, Rafael Medrano Jr., Robert Munoz, and Rey E. Medrano will serve as pallbearers. Joaquin's accomplishments as a trailblazer in law enforcement and service to the country will be recognized by two pallbearers who currently serve as law enforcement officers.

Visitation for Joaquin Medrano is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2024, 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a 6:00 PM Rosary & Sunday, April 7, 2024, 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a 6:00 PM Celebration of Life at Salinas Funeral Home of Elsa. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Monday, April 8, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elsa. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park.