Obituary of John Cazares

Our beloved, John A. Cazares, 82 passed away suddenly Friday, March 23, 2012 after a very full life. He was born February 14, 1930 in Austin, Texas to Pauline Adams Cazares and Louis Gonzalez Cazares.  He attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School, Palm Elementary, Allen Jr. High and Austin High School. He joined the United States Army in 1948 and remained in the Reserves for the next eight years.

In 1946 at the age of 16, he began working at the Green & White Grocery for his future father-in-law, Norverto T. Lopez. He married Lopez' daughter Olga in 1955, and together they raised six children. He helped his father Louis open a gas station/liquor store by buying the property on the corner of East 6th and Waller Street. Following the passing of his father-in-law in 1971, he continued the legacy of the Green & White, an important hub of community life on the eastside. During his years at the Green & White, the store became known for homemade tamales, menudo, hoghead cheese and chorizo.

He was also known for his kindness and generosity in the way that he helped those in need. He was one of the first local businesses to cash checks for minorities and to extend credit to those in need of food.  His day always began with his morning prayers. His devotion to prayer and the blessed sacrament was real and is reflected by his wife and his children. He was a life long member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  He was a loving father and husband who always put his family first, dedicating his life to God and bettering the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Pauline and Louis Cazares; his brothers Louis, Clements Sotero, Robert and Edward.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Olga L. Cazares; his brother Oscar A. Cazares and wife Nita; his sister Mary Lou Cazares Rizvi; his children John L. Cazares and wife Ginger Webb, Leonard L. Cazares of Houston, TX., Anna M. Cazares, Suzanne Plyler and husband John, Paula Cazares Masoumi and husband Khosrow, and David L. Cazares and wife Tammy of Katy, TX.; grandchildren James K. Plyler, Steven A. Plyler, Behzad C. Masoumi, Liliana C. Plyler, Chia W. Cazares, and Shahin C. Masoumi.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Alex Serna, David Zapata, Robert Cazares, Jr, Oscar D. Cazares, Donald Quinones, Edward Cazares.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Edmund Loper, Jerry Cazares, James K. Plyler, Steven A. Plyler and Behzad C. Masoumi.

Mr. Cazares will Lie in State beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Recitation of Holy Rosary 7:00 p.m., Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 1206 East Ninth Street. Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 p.m., Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.