Cayetano Tijerina, Jr.

"Lo difcil lo puedo hacer y lo imposible me tardo un rato." The Lord has called forth to his heavenly home Mr. Cayetano "Tito" Tijerina, 95, on Sunday, November 16, 2014. A man of moral courage, great wisdom, strong work ethics, and an intellectual, Cayetano affectionately known as "Apa Tito" was a hero to everyone who knew him. His diligence allowed him to graduate in the midst of an economic depression in 1937 from Laredo High School. Being a true man of honor, he proudly served our country during World War II in the Pacific Theatre as a United States Marine Sharpshooter in 1944 and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan at the southernmost tip of the Japanese island. After the war ended, he returned home to his wife and then five children. After working for the Zachary Company for a short time, he worked for the United States Postal Service for 46 years. Upon retirement, he wholeheartedly and earnestly devoted his time to his wife and their fifteen children. He attended and raised his children at La Trinidad Methodist Church. Apa Tito loved to cook; his specialty was his famous caldo de pollo. His door was always "open for a bite to eat." He worked daily on his beautiful Mediterranean-Spanish garden, and continued to follow his routine of reading, working on his beloved crossword puzzles, and enjoyed an occasional brew. An extraordinary man, he never cursed nor did he ever spank any of his children. He was a wise and kind man, those who have met or knew him, can easily attest to his integrity as a father and as a man with a powerful support for his belief in the goodness of all people. An advocate towards education, he epitomizes the true American family and most of all, he was a trustworthy man with the ability to help those in need. What a blessing it was to have a good father! It is a comfort to know that there was always someone you could count on for protection, care, guidance, nurturing, and encouragement. It is good to know that he always loved his family unconditionally and that he always gave praise and support to his family. Apa Tito is our hero, who led by example, and as a famous song says, he is "the wind beneath our wings." If there was a need for encouragement, you could visit with him at 4 p.m. at which time you would find him with his faithful dog Bodie in his backyard. His humor was uplifting and left you with a feeling of being the greatest person in the world and you were because that's who he was. You always left his presence hearing these words, "I Love you Baby." Cayetano is preceded in death by his wife: Dora P. Tijerina. He is survived by his loving children: Tito (Aminta) Tijerina, Dora (Ken) Hickle, Estela (Heriberto) Avalos, Maya Garza, Fernando (Tony Gutierrez) Tijerina, Raquel (Enrique) Valdez, Isaura (Rafael) Garcia, Cayetano (Rosalinda) Tijerina III, Carlos (Juanita) Tijerina, Linda (Alberto "Bimbo") Garcia, Guillermo (Cynthia) Tijerina, Leticia (Robert) Henry, Hector "Tati" (Patricia) Tijerina, Omar (Wawi) Tijerina, and Patricia (Rolando) San Miguel; grandchildren: Fred (Adriana) Tijerina, Wicho (Melissa) Tijerina, Tito Tijerina, Gabriel (Terri) Tijerina, Ysela (Arturo) Sandoval, Dorita (Ray) Resendez, Kenny (Stephanie) Hickle, John (Rosie) Hickle, Carol (Juan Manuel) Lara, Hortencia Avalos, Dora (Dean) Solis, Heriberto (Evelyn) Avalos, Jr., Gilbert (Julie) Garza, Selina Garza Reyes, Lisa (Alex) Ramos, Cordy (Ivan) Perez, Ardy (Bubba) San Miguel, Rebekah (Danny) Alvarez, Enrique S. Valdez, Rafael (Rosa) Garcia, Dr. Ediza Garcia, Norma (Andy) Vera, Veronica Garcia, Tano (Kimberly) Tijerina, Carlos Roberto (Ana) Tijerina, Janie Tijerina, Linda Tijerina, Amy (Sam) Cruz, Nina (Frank) Galarza, Alberto (Jessica) Garcia, Jr., Abriel Garcia, Lyset (Javier) Pea, Guillermo (Mia) Tijerina, Jr., Cristina Tijerina De Leon, Robert Philip Henry, Dr. Hector C. Tijerina, Gabriela Tijerina, Stephanie Ibarra, Samantha Ibarra, John Ibarra, Omar Tijerina, Jr., Rolando (Ardy) San Miguel, Jr., Tracy (Marco) Montemayor, Bekki San Miguel, and Robert San Miguel; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother: Samuel (Estela) Tijerina; sisters-in-law: Angela (Sabas) Perez and Herminia (Manuel) Perez; as well as his brother-in-law: Jose E. (Petra) (Maria) Arredondo. He was loved by many nephews, nieces, other loving relatives, and friends. A special thanks to Dr. Arturo & Laura Garza Gongora, Bertha Zarzoza Hernandez, Celia Fonseca for their utmost care given to our father. Our sincere gratitude to John and Anna Galo for their support and consideration throughout this difficult time. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2014 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd. A Prayer Service will commence at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday morning, November 20, 2014 where a Chapel Service will be held at 9 a.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, procession will depart the funeral home at 10 a.m. Pallbearers will be: Fred Tijerina, Kenny Hickle, Heriberto Avalos, Jr., Gilbert Garza, Fernando Tijerina, Enrique S. Valdez, Rafael Garcia, Tano Tijerina, Sam Cruz, Alberto Garcia, Jr., Guillermo Tijerina, Jr., Robert Philip Henry, Dr. Hector C. Tijerina, Abriel Garcia, Rolando San Miguel, Jr., and Dr. Arturo Garza Gongora. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Tito Tijerina, Tony Gutierrez, Enrique Valdez, Cayetano Tijerina III, Carlos Tijerina, Alberto "Bimbo" Garcia, Guillermo Tijerina, Robert Henry, Hector "Tati" Tijerina, Omar Tijerina, Rolando San Miguel, and John Hickle. Interment will follow at the Veteran's Section of the Laredo City Cemetery along with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Marine Corp., and the local Post 59. You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956) 722-8850.