Johnny Cortez Castro

Our beloved brother, Johnny Cortez Castro, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, December 20, 2015, surrounded by his siblings. Johnny was a retired minster and the end of his earthly journey was on the day he considered the Lord’s Day. Johnny was born in Mercedes, Texas, on April 27, 1941, to Bonifacio A. Castro and Cecilia Cortez Castro. He was the second of nine children and spent his early years in Lovington, New Mexico. He graduated from the Valley Baptist Academy in Harlingen, Texas, and received an Associates Degree from the College of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico. Johnny was called to the ministry at the young age of seventeen and was ordained in Plains, Texas, in 1961. He served as a Southern Baptist minister in Texas and New Mexico until his retirement, due to illness. He also served in the US Army in Orleans, France, from November 1963 – November 1965. While stationed in the army in France, Johnny served as a pastor in Paris and in Orleans. During the 1970’s, Johnny was part of an evangelistic team that promoted and participated in the evangelistic mission trips to South American countries, including Guatemala, San Salvador, Mexico City, Peru, and Panama. Throughout his life, Johnny never tired of teaching and preaching the gospel. His Bible was one of his prized possessions and never far from him. He especially enjoyed his ministry among young people. Johnny loved 1960’s “muscle” cars, drag races, watching the Dallas Cowboys, talking football, “oldies” music, and listening to his siblings, nephews, and nieces singing, playing the piano, and praising the Lord. Most of all, Johnny loved his grandchildren. His face would light up as he talked about them. Hearing from them or about them made his day! Johnny is survived by his two sons, John Michael Castro and his wife Krysten of Phoenix, Arizona, and Caleb Aaron Castro and his wife Sylvia of Farmington, New Mexico. His beloved grandchildren are Josiah, Noah, Uriah, Aaliyah, and Maya, his brothers: Albert Castro Sr. (Nora); David Castro (Esther); Richard Castro (Stella); Louis Castro (Diana); and Bobby Castro (Diane); sisters: Lupe Rodgers and Yolanda Hunter. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews who Johnny was always very close to and very proud of. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Bonifacio and Cecilia Castro, and his brother Barney Castro, Jr. No services are scheduled at this time. Obituary was loving written by his family.

Johnny Cortez Castro

April 27, 1941 - December 20, 2015