John E Castillo

John E. Castillo entered his eternal reward on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the age of 75. Surrounded by his family, John passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary L. Castillo, son Patrick Castillo, his parents Juan and Enriqueta Castillo, and sisters Rachel Mireles, Maria del Rosario Sanchez, and Irene Perez. John is survived by his daughter Vanessa Castillo; grandsons Anthony Zavala, John Edward Castillo and Steven Louis Castillo; great grandsons Patrick Alexander Castillo, Edward Matthew Castillo, Michael Anthony Zavala, and Gabriel Rene Zavala; brothers Bill Castillo, Charles Castillo, Frank Castillo, Santiago Castillo, Robert Castillo, Richard Castillo, Joseph Castillo, Steve Castillo, Paul Castillo and Michael Castillo; sisters Connie Garcia, Sr. Rachel Castillo and Anna Longoria; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

John Castillo was born on September 20, 1938 in Houston, Texas. He was the oldest of 17 children and attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and St. Thomas High School in Houston, TX. John graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in Physics, and quickly became involved in Democratic politics in the late 60’s. Collaborating with other Hispanic community leaders like his brother-in-law Leonel Castillo, John helped to solidify the Hispanic political vote in Houston through effective grassroots campaigning and voter registration. He worked on many local campaigns as either campaign manager or strategist. Always willing to help young, aspiring leaders John made himself and his knowledge and experience available to those who asked for his help. John was elected to the office of Houston City Council Member – District I and served from 1996 through 2001. His last job was working in the Harris County Treasurer’s office for Orlando Sanchez whom he considered a very close friend. John received the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

The visitation will be on Monday, June 23, 2014, from 5 pm to 9 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 2405 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77003, with the rosary at 7 pm. The mass of resurrection will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 10 am, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) either online at www.alzfdn.org, by phone at 1-866-232-8484, or by mail to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001. Donations may also be made in his memory to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007.