John "Johnny" Martinez Villareal

John “Johnny” Martinez Villareal was born on August 8, 1948 in Alma, Michigan to parents Jesus Villarreal and Ramona Martinez Villarreal and thus began his adventure. At a young age, Johnny went along from state to state to help his close-knit family of migrant workers, including his many aunts and uncles, in the fields while also enjoying the many fruits and vegetables, especially the fresh tomatoes. He often shared fond memories of himself and least 14 family members all sleeping in a one-room cabin and pumping their own water as they worked harvesting crops. Johnny was raised by his maternal grandparents, Juan and Josefa Martinez, so as not to interrupt his schooling throughout harvesting season.

While living with his grandparents and growing up in the West Dallas area, he served as an altar boy for many years at St. Mary of Carmel Catholic Church in Dallas and was helping clean classrooms at the St. Mary of Carmel Catholic school when, on April 2, 1957, a tornado tore the roof off of the school after the regular dismissal of classes, thankfully he was not injured.

As he grew, he began to date a young lady from a few houses down the street from his on Crossman Avenue by the name of Hilda Cuellar, they were married on September 7, 1968. Throughout their marriage, Johnny worked as a commercial truck driver delivering food items for J. Freeman trucking and mail for Southern Mail. While traveling for work, Johnny discovered hidden places and sights to see and each year he would drive his family to places throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico for at least 2 weeks at a time, sights included Niagara Falls (Canada), the pyramids and mummies of Mexico, Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado), various Hawaiian Islands and as a former boy scout, he enjoyed camping. During one camping trip, his campsite was attacked by a large bear. Later, although his children were by then grown and with families of their own, he traveled on cruises with friends, former classmates and siblings to Alaska and the Caribbean.

In his spare time, Johnny enjoyed building model cars and later full-sized antique cars, taking care to even the smallest of details. He made many like-minded friends participating in car shows and going to swap meets looking for the various needed antique parts.

Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Hilda Villareal, children: Denise Villareal Perez (Juan), and John A. Villareal (Brenda), grandchildren: Brielle Perez, Dalton Perez, and John E. Villareal, brothers: Jesse Villarreal (Esther), Ricardo Villarreal (Josie), and Dino Villarreal, sisters: Biatriz Lopez, Maria Luisa Saucedo, Dora Bonilla (Luciano), and Gloria Guel Barba, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is proceeded in death by his mother Ramona Martinez Guel, step-father Juan Guel, father Jesus Villarreal, brothers: Nicolas Guel, Joseph Manuel Guel, Miguel “Mike” Guel (Karen), and Arthur Guel (Amy), sisters: Anita Rivera (Marcos), and Connie Guel Persha as well as sister-in-law: Margie Valdez, brother-in-laws: Doug Persha, Arturo “Pie” Lopez, Raymundo Cuellar, Alfonso Cuellar, Albert Garza and Manuel Valdez and family pets: Gracie, Lady, Binkie I and Binkie II.

Johnny will be remembered as a handsome, creative, friendly, kind, giving and good person who made friends easily. Many thanks to all those that have shared their wonderful stories which have only served to further echo those qualities. We know that he has continued his adventurous travels and that one day we will see him again, where we are sure he will tell us tales of the new people he has met and the places he has been.