Johnny RositasJohnny Rositas, our beloved brother, son, uncle, father, grandfather, husband, and hero, was called by our Lord on Monday, December 6, 2004, and is now "Safely Home". Johnny was born in Austin on January 22, 1945, and lived in Austin his entire life before moving to Smithville in 2002. Johnny graduated from Johnston High School in 1964, where immediately afterward, he joined the United States Marine Corp. He was deployed to Vietnam during the worst period of turmoil where he fought and survived for 13 months from May 1965 to June of 1966. After completing his tour of duty, Johnny returned to Austin to work and to marry his high school sweetheart, Aurora, or Dora as most people know her, in 1969. They have been married 35 wonderful years. In the late 1980 s Johnny developed kidney problems and consequently went on dialysis, then on a kidney transplant waiting list. Despite the gloomy prognosis and very small odds of survival given by doctors of more than a couple of years, Johnny also fought and survived that battle, patiently waiting for seven years before receiving the medical exchange page one afternoon informing him of a donor match. After his successful operation, Johnny and Dora moved to Smithville where he dedicated himself to his family, his home, his love of the military, and to his Lord Jesus Christ. Johnny became a member of VFW Post 1309 where he eventually became Quarter Master. He served on the VFW Honor Guard for Bastrop County, was a member of the Marine Corp League, the Marine Corp Association, and the Vietnam Vets Association. Johnny was proud to continue serving his country. Johnny and Dora became members of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic church in Smithville. Johnny was also proud in serving the Lord and was inducted into the Knights of Columbus. Johnny was preceded in his death by his daughter, Jaclyn Rositas, and father, Juan Rositas. He is survived by his wife, Dora, son U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Johnny Rositas III and wife Amy, currently stationed in Champagne Illinois, grandson Jonathon, mother Romana Rositas of Austin, brother, Ricardo "Dickie" Rositas and wife Guadalupe of Seguin, brother Roy Rositas and wife Esther of Austin, sister Anna Castro and husband Adam of Austin, sister Dora Ramirez and husband Roberto of Houston, brother Deacon Edward Rositas and wife Guadalupe of Austin, brother Guadalupe "Lupio" Rositas and wife Maria of Elroy, and sister Julie Ann Salinas and husband Luis of Austin. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews along with countless family and friends. Pallbearers will be Johnny s nephews, Dr. Robert Ramirez II, Stephen Ramirez, Ricardo Rositas II, Adam Castro II, James Edward Rositas, and Adrian Gutierrez. Our real life hero is gone and will be greatly missed, but always loved and remembered. Thank you for being the shining example of a good man to your family, friends, and community. We will meet again someday. A Vigil Service, along with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, will be held on Thursday, December 9th, at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 S. 1st St. The Mass of Resurrection will take place at St. Julia s Catholic Church in Austin on Friday, December 10th, 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Austin.