Juan Raul Munoz

Juan Raul Munoz, beloved son and husband, died June 13, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. The son of Raul Munoz, Jr. and Maria Olivia Mena Munoz, and husband to Laurie Shields, he was born on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1954, at the McAllen Texas Medical Center. He spent his infancy years in Rio Grande City with his father, a District school principal and his mother, a high school language teacher. In 1959, the family moved to Houston where he attended Helms Elementary, Black Junior High, and Waltrip Senior High, graduating in 1972. He went on to the University of Houston to study Business and Spanish. Always ambitious and hardworking since his early teenage years, he did the morning newspaper route, recorded audio tapes, and worked in camera repair. By age 17, he was a Sales Associate with Foley’s of Houston, rising to Senior Buyer and remaining with the store for 20 years. He would have a long and distinguished career in retail and merchandizing and served also as a buyer for Rite Aid, Target, Office Depot and Office Max. In 2006, he returned to Houston and moved to Garden Oaks near his mother’s home. At the time of his diagnosis with cancer, he was employed by the Micro Center of Houston. A collector of wines, he enjoyed sharing his gourmet and connoisseur skills with close family and friends. He loved the beach and showed a passion for surfing during his teenage years. He was proud of his home and family and never failed to cultivate his garden. He was well traveled in the United States, Mexico, Latin America and Asia, and was privileged to attend several Super Bowl Games, the World Series in Minneapolis in 1991 and in Cleveland, 1997; the US Tennis Open in New York 2001, the US Golf Open in Chicago in 2003, and the Kentucky Derby of 1997 and 1998.

Juan Raul was predeceased by his father, Raul Munoz Jr., his uncle Juan Saul Munoz, his aunt Connie Mena Herrera, and his cousin and close friend, Gloria Lisa Sanchez. He is survived by his wife, Laurie Shields Munoz; his mother, Maria Olivia Munoz; his sister, Patricia Anne Rivera (Gil Rivera); his brother-in-law, William Shields (Karen); his sister-in-law, Tiffany Morrissette (Vince); and sister-in-law, Danielle Rosenfeld (Wes). Nephews: Michael Steven Perez, John Robert Krause III, his close friend and cousin, Saul Rene Munoz; his dear aunts: Esther Mena Bexar, Eva Mena Martinez (Henry), Virginia Mena Garcia (Robert), Eloise Rodriguez, Blanca Garcia Munoz, and numerous cousins. He will be missed also by his godchildren: Christopher Garcia, Aaron Munoz, and Michael Perez, and his Cocker Spaniels: Angus, Dozer and Libby.

A very special thanks to the dedicated nurses who cared for him.

Juan Raul’s services will be at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman, Tuesday, June 17, 2014.Rosary will be at 9:15 AM and Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM., Rev. Fr. Clint C Ressler, Celebrant; Interment following mass at Memorial Oaks Cemetery—13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079.

Pallbearers are; Bobby Bexar, Christopher Garcia, Robert C. Garcia, John Robert Krause III, Vince Morrissett, Saul Rene Munoz, Michael Perez, and William Shields. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Dr. Robert C. Garcia and Mr. Henry Martinez.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family requests donation to the American Cancer Society