"I Remember working with Meza one night and I saw this car came in from the 9th street entrance ( I was on the 8th street side ) I saw Meza walk to the car to collect the money so they could park and about 4 men all gathered around Meza because they didn't want to pay $5.00 back then. I saw Meza having a hard time with those men so I started to go where Meza was at and as I approach all of them I hear Meza tell the men ** Here comes my Boss ** Talk to him and he walked away leaving me to deal with the 4 men and collecting the $5.00 .. which I manage to collect."
In loving memory of
Juan Elizalde Meza
August 18, 1943 - March 17, 2020
Juan Meza, 76, beloved Husband and Father, was called to his eternal resting place on March 17, 2020. He entered this world on August 18, 1943, in Brownsville, TX, born to Gonzalo and Dolores Meza. He is survived by his beloved wife, Isabel P. Meza; his children: Virginia (Kevin) Boissonneault, Dolores Meza, Juan Antonio Meza, Ismael Chavez, and Kristina (Eloy) Ramirez; his grandchildren: Veronica Hermosa, Joseph Hermosa, Rosario Meza, Angel Chavez, Andrew Chavez, Alex Chavez, Isabel Chavez, Bruce Meza, Isabella Boissonneault, Elena Ramirez and Elizabeth Ramirez; and his sister, Guadalupe Meza. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces: Conrado Saldivar, Jr., Nora (Saldivar) Muniz, Maria (Saldivar) Garza, and Rodolfo Saldivar. Juan spent the majority of his life in Brownsville, Texas until moving to Central Texas in 1993.
He is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Santana Meza, his sister, Dolores (Meza) Saldivar, his nieces, Cristina Saldivar and Florestela Gomez and nephews, Gonzalo Saldivar and Elias Saldivar.
Juan was a consummate family man and dedicated his life to his wife. His romance with Isabel began with their first date at Washington Park in Brownsville, Texas, with a stroll and a conversation on a park bench as they gazed at the fountain underneath evening skies. At its creation in 1926, the fountain was only one of two such fountains in the state that was programmed to shoot up to 60 feet in orchestrated colored lights. By the time Juan and Isabel were gazing at it, it had become a centerpiece of all things special. Their courtship, and their subsequent 52 year marriage, led to raising five children, helping out with grandchildren and at times, even pets. His sole focus was his wife and family. Juan and Isabel enjoyed going to movies and out to eat. He often remembered to bring Isabel flowers and treats.
In Brownsville, Juan was a member of St. Luke's and St. Mary's Catholic Parishes. In Central Texas, he was a member of St. Paul's (Austin) and St. Anthony Marie de Claret's (Kyle) Catholic Parishes. He was always proud as his children and grandchildren celebrated sacraments and participated in Christmas pageants. He taught us how to actively seek out the comfort and peace that our faith in Christ brings us by asking that we request a priest for Annointing of the Sick, Confession, Communion and Last Rites and had us say a Rosary as a family. He told us he didn't know "how to do this" but til the end, he taught us what was important: Faith, Love, and Family.
Early in his career he worked as a bookkeeper and later retired from insurance sales. To stay busy after retirement, he worked in downtown Austin for a parking service a couple of evenings a week. It was a fun job that he and his golf buddies enjoyed and used to pass the time together. His daughter learned that a rival golf group, another band of old men, called Juan's golf group, "the Roughians", because allegedly some in the group spent their time in the rough. Juan and bunch were good and avid golfers until they could no longer play. The Roughians then became a breakfast club only.
Juan served his children breakfast and took each of them to school every day until they were of driving age. They were lucky when the movie, Six Pack, came out because breakfast then included French toast. On each of his kids' birthdays, he'd take the birthday child to breakfast alone after dropping the rest off at school. It was nice to spend time alone with him. He was funny and a prankster.
Juan was very involved in his daughters' kickball leagues, where he served as an umpire and scorekeeper. You could find him working on the fields and transporting groups of giggly girls to tournaments on hot spring and summer days. He shared his love of sports, the beach, fishing and golfing with his children. There were plenty of outings involving riding in the back of the truck to the Charro Drive Inn theater and to the beach, fishing, frollicking in the sand and playing in the water. Juan won the trophy for "Most Unusual Fish" at a fishing tournament one year. It was funny, but he was proud of his trophy. He may not have gotten the biggest trophy but he didn't leave empty handed. Just like in life, he never cared much about having the biggest things. He was just happy to have his family which to him was his everything.
In his later years, he spent his time with Isabel and their grandchildren. They could count on a Happy Meal and treats from the ice cream truck. Grandpa could always be counted on to give a ride and a hug. He enjoyed hogging the television with his Western movies and the Golf channel on full blast. He was happy to have any conversation involving sports and would keep up with scores while he was at "work" by giving his daughter a call so that she'd give him the updates.
Juan will be missed by family and many friends. He was always good for a laugh, a smile, an attaboy, and genuine support. He made his love for Isabel known until the very end.
Due to current restrictions, the family will have a private ceremony with something more public in the future. The family thanks everyone for their support and outpouring of love. For updates or to send condolences, please feel free to contact us at vhermosab@gmail.com.