Robert Jose Tinajero

Our precious husband, father, and grandfather, Roberto José Tinajero (Dad, Papa T, Gordo, Pepe, Joe) was called home by our Lord on Dec 14, 2016, on the Day of John of the Cross Memorial. Following a courageous battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Dr. Josie Villamil Tinajero, and his four children, Gloria Tinajero Tovar (Jesse), Ana Tinajero, Bert Tinajero and Patrick Tinajero.

He was a life-long resident of El Paso, having attended the Asilo de San José, Guardian Angel Elementary School, Cathedral High School, and Dominguez Seminary in Los Angeles, CA. He served the Lord as a Claretian Brother for over ten years in Los Angeles, San Antonio and El Paso, and received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity (D.D). He was a generous and deeply spiritual man, a man of faith, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. Roberto’s life was framed and directed by his love for his Lord, the Virgin Mary, the Church, his family, and his friends.

His daily readings consisted of numerous Catholic magazines, newspapers, and newsletters, including Voz del Santuario, Voz de Fátima, L’Obssservatore Romano, National Catholic Register, Inside the Vatican, Knightline and Fraternity Newsletter. He married the love of his life, his “divina”, Josie, whom he loved dearly. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely, often picking them up from school, and always managing to find candies hidden in his coat pockets for them. He also had a special place in his heart for his extended family, especially his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. He was truly A Man of Prayer and A Prince Among Men. He will be deeply missed, but his children and family will carry on his legacy of faith and kind compassion in their lives.

He was a thoughtful and genuinely kind and loving person who had an incisive wit and sense of humor, and a love of caldo and jalapeños. He enjoyed telling stories of growing up in the San Xavier Church neighborhood. After his retirement he attended mass and prayed the rosary on a daily basis, often listening to EWTN following his father’s footsteps of “banking” MICORO (MIsas, COnfesiones, and ROsarios) in preparation for eternal life. He was the founder of the only Spanish-speaking Council of the Knights of Columbus in El Paso (the Msgnr. Costa-Pelayo Council #6914). He served as the Council’s Grand Knight numerous times over the 35+ years of its existence. He also served many years as an interpreter for the Texas State District courts for which he gave his father and father-in-law credit for insisting that he learn both Spanish and English.

Roberto was preceded in death by his parents, Antonio and Esperanza Tinajero, and siblings Jesus, Antonio, Lupe, Javier, Esperanza and Lalo. He is survived by his wife and four children, eleven adorable grandchildren: Mikaela Valdez, Jesse Tovar, Love Tinajero Tovar, Evan Tovar, Evana Tovar, Sebastian Huerta, Isaiah Tinajero, Maya Tinajero, Mischa Tinajero, Niko Tinajero and Ayanna Ventura; and two great-grandchildren: Samson Hernandez and Lucy June Hernandez, and numerous relatives and friends, including several brothers and sisters: Mague Moreno (Beto); Lucy Arias (Victor); Lola Mendez (Jose); Teresa Davis (Alfred); Maruca Martinez; and Ignacio Tinajero (Dora); and sisters/brothers-in-law: Irma Hernandez (Mario); Enedina Martinez; Rosa White; Elizabeth Ramos, Rudy Villamil (Irma), Ricardo Villamil, and mother-in law, Maria Rosa Villamil.

Services Tuesday, Dec 20 at St. Patrick Cathedral: Visitation from 11:30-12 noon; Rosary 12:00-1:00 PM and Holy Mass 1:00-2:00 PM. Reception follows at Cathedral High School Bishop R. Peña Academic Center. Services entrusted to Crestview Funeral Home.