Juan Carlos

Cortez

Juan Carlos (JC) 72, left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior on September 6, 2023, at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, Texas. Juan Carlos was born to the late Chief Placido (Pat) Cortez, San Benito Police Department and Eva Cortez on July 21, 1951 in San Benito Texas. Juan Carlos devoted his life to service. He joined the United States Army at the young age of 17 and proudly served for six years as a paratrooper, earning the National Defense Service Medal during the Vietnam conflict. Juan Carlos retired from the Harlingen Police Department as a Detective, after serving his community for 32 years.  He was a graduate of San Benito High School, where his love for the sport made him an outstanding football player. He earned an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement Science from Southmost Junior College at Brownsville. Juan Carlos is proceeded in death by his parents his siblings Omar Cortez, Eleazar (Patch) Cortez and Lupita Brown. He is survived by his siblings, Rosalinda Galvan, (Gilbert), Marie Gracie Quintanilla, (Danny), Placido Cortez Jr (Pat), (Esmeralda), and Norma Cortez. He is survived by his wife, Irma Casarez, his children, Cindy, Jay, Juan Carlos, Romulo Cesar, Eva Idolina, Ester and Veronica, 10 grandchildren and one great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

The family will be receiving relatives and friends on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, from 3pm to 7pm with the Holy Rosary recited a 7pm at Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home in Harlingen, Texas. Chapel service will commence at 9:30 am on Wednesday at the Funeral Home followed by a 10 am departure to the graveside at the Rio Grande State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas.  A graveside service along with full Military and Law Enforcement honors for his service will take place at 11 am.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Freddy Elizondo, Omar Cortez, Gabriel Gortez, Jacob Quintanilla, Jesse Mendujano, and Joey Lopez. Serving as honorary pallbearers Jay and Juan Carlos Cortez Jr., Pat Cortez, Gilbert Galvan, and Danny Quintanilla.

Funeral arrangements have been under the care of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home at 1002 East Harrison Ave., Harlingen, Texas 78550 (956)364-2444. www.trinityfunerals.com