Juan Reymundo Baltierra
Mr. Juan Reymundo Baltierra, age 77, of Austin, Texas, was called home to be with his savior on January 28, 2024.
Juan was born on February 8, 1946, in Fentress, Texas, to Samuel and Gumercinda Baltierra and was the youngest of nine children. He grew up harvesting cotton. Many of the places he went to go work to pick cotton were in West Texas, Ohio, Indiana and Oklahoma. As a teenager he enjoyed spending time with his childhood friends. In between the labor of cotton picking, he spent time with family, siblings and parents and made many memories going to the San Marcos River in Martindale to swim, especially with his older brother Tomas.
Growing up, Juan carried the same characteristics of his father, learning how to work hard, how to be honest with people and to never cheat anyone. Juan was taught by his mother to always keep the faith of a devout catholic and to always keep Holy Week sacred. When Juan returned to Texas he started working for the Hancock Center in Austin, Texas, and there he started to establish roots as a true Austinite.
While working at the Hancock Center he was recommended by someone that a girl by the name of Esther was interested in one of the ‘Lockhart boys’. On March 11, 1967, Esther Ledesma officially became a Baltierra, marrying Juan at St Mary’s Cathedral in Austin, and together they were gifted with one son, Samuel Gerald Baltierra.
He made the time to spend with his family making outings as much as possible, to go hiking on bike trails attending mass on Sunday evenings and enjoyed going out to eat. Juan was a talented self-taught mechanic. From 1968 he was the on-staff mechanic for Auto Sales Inc. for 22 years, and up until retirement he continually was passionate about working on cars for family and friends on whoever called him to lend a helping hand with their vehicle. He transported many cars all over the state of Texas. Up until one month before the Lord called him home, he was proud he was still able to work, pick up and repo in Waco, Texas to help a friend.
He was a devoted and a loving father who will be greatly missed; a beloved and loving brother and caring uncle, and a great friend to all who had the privilege of encountering his soft and tender spirit.
Juan is survived by his son; Samuel Gerald Baltierra of Austin, Texas. He leaves behind two siblings: Conception B. Juarez and Victor Baltierra, both of Lockhart, Texas.
Juan is proceeded in death by his bride, Esther Ledesma Baltierra; his parents; his siblings; Refugio Baltierra, Antonio Baltierra, Tomas Baltierra, Jose Baltierra, Andres Baltierra and Rosa Valdez.
Samuel Baltierra would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and techs at St David’s Medical Center for the care of his father, Thomason Funeral Home for professional services, and especially to the outpouring of love from both sides but especially the Herrera, Goldiano and Brockman families to help his father reach his goal in resting with his family in Lockhart, Texas.
A Celebration of Juan’s life will take place Friday, February 23, beginning with a rosary at 11 a.m. to be recited prior to a Funeral Mass at noon, at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Lockhart. He will be laid to rest next to his brother Tomas at the Cementerio San Pablo de la Colonia Mexicana. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home, 2220 S Colorado St, Lockhart, TX 78644. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit thomasonfuneralhome.com.
