John Edward Velasquez

John Edward Velasquez went to be with the Lord surrounded by family and friends on October 13, 2015. John was diagnosed with Lymphoma in June of 2014, and recently diagnosed with pneumonia while undergoing treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. John fought the good fight, but his illness was too aggressive and his body was not strong enough to fight the battle any longer.

John was preceded in death by his mother Lupe Cantu, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his wife Cynthia “Ninny” Velasquez, daughters Andrea “Nana” Gil and husband Matt, Nicole “Nic” Santos and husband Mark, grandchildren Matthew Gil, Lola Gil, Aiden Santos and Aylssa Santos, father Refugio “R.C.” Velasquez, brother Michael Velasquez and wife Terry, a sister, his in-laws Porfiria and George Gonzales, his sister-in-law Sylvia Chandler and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

John’s second family included a long list of close friends and former athletes from his 36 year teaching/coaching career. John started his coaching career at Big Spring High School in 1979 through 1991. John wanted to be closer to home so he left Big Spring and began at Floresville High School in June 1991 and stayed there until July 2006. Throughout his career he earned several awards. During his 15 years at Floresville High School where he served 12 years as head baseball coach, his team made the playoffs for 6 years most wins of any baseball coach in Floresville history. Also most playoff appearances of any baseball coach in Floresville history, longest tenured baseball coach in Floresville history, first coach to beat Pleasanton High School. In 2006 John went to Houston and took coaching job as assistant football coach at Lamar Consolidated where his team earned the Class 4 Division-1 title. He left Lamar Consolidated in 2007. His final coaching move was South West High School in San Antonio as baseball coach. He began there in 2007m and in August 2015 John retired due to his failing health. In April 2015, John was recognized by Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association for his 300th baseball coaching win. Other accomplishments include the 2014, Bi-District playoff as assistant football coach at Southwest High, the 2008m District Championship area football playoff, the 2009 District Championship.

Numerous former players are now coaches because of John’s influence and the great impact he made in their lives and careers.

John graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978, and in 2001, he received his Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration. John enjoyed reading, playing poker, playing golf, traveling. But his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and his family.

The number of people who visited John during his final days is a testament to the difference he made in so many lives. He will be greatly missed by many.