Julio A. Dominguez

Julio Alvarez Dominguez, age 85 of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 1st, 2022, in the presence of his family. Julio was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 12, 1937, to Mother Berta Alvarez Dominguez and Father Julio Lopez Dominguez. Julio was married to his loving wife, Rose Marie Dominguez, for over 57 wonderful years. He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie, sons Michael and Julio, sister Rose Dominguez Rodriguez, her husband Frank Rodriguez, Terri Lisherness, grandchildren Julian, Nicholas, and Juliette Dominguez and nieces and nephews Carole Molina-Hilms, Vincent Guzman, and Fernando Ibarra. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Guadalupe Ibarra, Bertha MacNeil, and niece Anna Marie Guzman.

Julio was foremost a trumpet player. Julio received a full-ride scholarship to St. Mary’s University because of his advanced skills on the trumpet early on and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1962. He was the first in his family to attend college. Julio worked hard at his various storied careers, and he excelled in each of them.

Julio had been a professional musician since a young age as a trumpet player. He was also an arranger, recording-artist, conductor, band leader, and musical director. He knew what he wanted early on and started his own band in high school called, “The Creepers.“ Julio was offered opportunities to go on the road as a musician early on but instead was focused on earning his college degree. Julio was the lead soloist trumpet player at St. Mary’s University then went on to become one of the most preeminent musicians of his time. An article was later written about Julio entitled “Julio, Come Blow Your Horn!” Julio was known for playing difficult high notes referred to as “screaming” on the trumpet with great force, volume, and endurance which only a select few trumpet players can do. Julio was given the nickname “Double C” for the extremely high-pitched notes he was able to command with facility on the trumpet. He famously practiced 8 hours per day. Julio continued to play as a musician at the Majestic theater well into his sixties and continued to be the musical director for the Majestic into his 70’s.

Julio was regularly invited to play as a guest soloist by numerous musical groups sometimes from as far away as Las Vegas. He led his own Dance Orchestra, The River City Orchestra, for several decades. Julio was in charge of musicians at the Majestic Theater as the Musical Director. He would hire all of the musicians for major acts that would perform in San Antonio. He performed and worked with musical acts such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, The Temptations, Rod Stewart, Kenny Rogers, Liberace, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manillow, and Rosemary Clooney. He performed and worked on hundreds of Broadway shows including Wicked, The Color Purple, Westside Story, Chicago, Hairspray, Annie, My Fair Lady, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and many more.

Julio was also a career federal civil servant for the United States’ Department of Defense. He worked as an instructor then later a supervisor at the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Airforce Base teaching English to foreign students on behalf of the United States Government. Julio was deployed several times including to Egypt and Japan to serve his country. He took his trumpet everywhere he traveled and always found a band to sit in with. Julio’s talents were always welcomed.

Finally, Julio was a real estate investor and landlord. He owned several apartment homes and other properties over the years which he always maintained and repaired himself. He had a great knowledge of real estate and construction work. Julio was the rare jack-of-all-trades but master of many.

Julio was passionate about many aspects of life. He had numerous hobbies and interests. Julio most enjoyed listening to Latin Jazz and spending time with his family especially his grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.

Julio's Celebration of life services will be held Sunday, December 11, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road. The Rosary will be recited that evening at 7:00 p.m. A funeral procession will be departing Monday, December 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home. Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 907 W Theo Ave. with interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery.

A special thank you form the family to Vitas Hospice and Home Health Services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelcupples.com for the Dominguez family.