Ramon Najera Jr.

Ramon is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Najera, sisters, Patsy De Leon, Anita Najera, Mary Prendez, Catherine Guerra; brother, Gilbert Najera.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Juanita "Janie" Najera; children, Raymond Anthony Najera, Sylvia Marie Martinez and husband Roger, Richard Gilbert Najera and wife Diana, Ramon Marcos Najera; step-children, Carlos Gomez Jr. and wife Yolanda, Anna Marie Alfaro and husband Robert, Olga Lydia Gomez; 19 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; mother, Genevieve Najera; sisters, Rachel Gomez and Sylvia Gonzales; brothers, Adam Najera and Roland Najera;

Ramon was an energetic man who loved to dance to Tejano music, and would “cut a rug” at celebrations, and festivals. In addition to dancing, he also enjoyed listening to oldies music. He loved hearing tunes from the “West side sounds” like Sonny Ozuna & the Sunliners. “West side sounds” is a musical blend of rhythm & blues, Tejano, blues and mariachi, like the 1963 hit song, “Talk to Me.”

As a creative “deal maker,” he was the envy of the family who used his negotiating skills to magically get more “bang for his buck.” Ramon was a great discount vacationer. Many a luxury trip did he arrange across the country—practically for free! He was able to ferret out a hidden discount, free hotel nights, two for one dinners and more.

During his U.S. Air Force career, he began traveling the world. His travels took him to S. Korea, Germany, Spain, Ascension Island, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, New York, Utah, Arizona, Mississippi and Oklahoma before returning home to San Antonio.

In addition to traveling, Ramon’s other hobbies included art collecting, and landscaping. As an art collector, he decorated his home office with Western art paintings, and his home with alabaster sculptures. Also, he and his brother, Roland engaged in lively discussions about the value of gold and silver coins that they acquired as coin collectors. In his later years, he dedicated time to his house and front yard. For example, he was recognized for his attractive landscape gardening by the city of Leon Valley where he proudly won the city’s beautification award.

After retirement from the military and civil service, he was a highly active senior citizen, lively and sociable. In addition to music, art collecting, traveling and dancing, he enjoyed hosting family gatherings and attending social events. Also, he continued to work as a security guard, and enjoyed discovering San Antonio’s hidden places. His strong work ethic made him very reliable. He readily accepted last-minute calls to work on the weekends, evenings or Sundays.

Ramon was a devoted man to his entire family. His family encompassed his children, grandchildren, siblings, and mother. Throughout his life, he loved and raised many children as his own. In his social, like his family life, he was open, and accepting of all people whom he met and with whom he often became friends.

Ramon Najera retired as a M.Sgt. from the US Air Force after 21 years of service. He lived fighting for his country and in the end, he perished saving his loving wife. He passed away February 24, 2023 at the age of 81 years.

Visitation will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera road, San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary at 6:00 P.M. The funeral procession will depart Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 9:00 am for a 9:30 A.M. mass at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 7893 Grissom Road, San Antonio, Texas 78251.

Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209 at 11:00 A.M. with U.S. Air Force military honors.

A dedicated mass will be offered for Ramon on March 19, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. at the Oblate School of Theology, Lourdes Grotto &Tepeyac de San Antonio located at 285 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78216.