Juan "Bear"

Serrata, Jr.

Juan "Bear" Serrata Jr - dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend - passed away comfortably in his sleep at his home in Harlingen, TX surrounded by his loving family on March 23, 2023.

Juan was born to Juan and Anastasia Serrata in Harlingen, TX on November 15, 1948.

He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1967, and attended Pan American College (UTRGV). Juan was then drafted into Vietnam and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served aboard the U.S.S. Samuel Gompers. Seaman First Class Juan Serrata proudly served his country and was honorably discharged on August 1973. After the war Juan married his sweetheart, Bertha, they would have celebrated their 50th anniversary this June. They had two sons Jeremy and Mark.

Juan joined the U.S. Border Patrol class 110 in 1976. During his 28 years of service he started as field agent then supervisor. After 20 years in the Border Patrol he transferred to the Austin, TX field office as a special agent for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, then he transferred to Kansas City where he was the Commander of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force with the FBI/Dept. of Justice. He retired from the Kansas City field office in 2004. He was then rehired and taught at the Border Patrol Academy in Artesia, New Mexico (2006-2010)  Juan loved playing golf. After New Mexico, he moved to Denver and joined the Green Valley Ranch Country Club where he had a standing tee time at 7:00 am and would play every morning and walk 18 holes listening 60's music, another one of Juan's favorite things. Juan and Bertha moved back to Harlingen because he "was tired of shoveling snow". After he moved back to Harlingen, Juan became an elder at the Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church. His faith and relationship with God allowed him to live an optimistic life. Juan loved spending time with his family — especially his grandchildren - who he loved very much.

Juan is survived by his wife, Miriam Bertha Serrata; his children, Jeremy and Amy Serrata, Mark and Phoebe Serrata; his grandchildren, Samuel, Nicolette, Oliver, & Hugh; his siblings, Frank (Santa), and Martin (Lina); Sister-in-law, Omega(Joe), and numerous nieces, nephews, family, friends, and his dog CCR.

Juan is preceded in death by his sisters Rosalinda Serrata and Rosalva Barbola.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 pm at Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

We will meet at Treasure Hills Presbyterian Church, 2120 N. Ed Carey Dr. Harlingen, TX 78550 on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 for a 10:00 am funeral liturgy.

Interment will follow to Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, La Feria with full military honors under the auspices of the American Legion Post 205 combined with the US Border Patrol Honor Guard.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be his Brothers in Arms from his US Border patrol family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home 1002 East Harrison Avenue Harlingen, Texas 78550 (956)364-2444. www.trinityfunerals.com