Jesus Vera died peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning, December 26, 2016. He was born in December of 1919 in Villanueva, TX to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Vera, the fifth child of eleven in this family: Virginia+, Oscar+, Marina+, Adela+, Melida+, Amanda+, Alicia+, Reynaldo+, Sigifredo, and Oralia.

Mr. Vera is preceded in death by his lovely parents, Oscar and Leonarda Vera and his wife of 53 years, Bertha Beatriz, the first woman pharmacist in Brownsville. Jesus is survived by his four children: Oscar Vera (Judy), Carmela Petraitis (Stan), Carlos Vera, PharmD, and Bertha Janis (Emily Alpert) and grandchildren: Maria Stunkel (Kevin), Oscar Vera Jr. (Mimi Wong), Stephen Vera, Stanley Petraitis II, Bradley Petraitis (fianceé Jenna Gostic), Erika Janis (fiancé David Morgan), Nathan Janis and Nicholas Janis. He will also be missed by his sister, Oralia V. Aldrete and a brother, Sigifredo Vera along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Mr. Vera graduated from Brownsville High School in 1938. He immediately went to work at the American Consulate in Matamoros. He was inducted into the United States Army. He proudly served his country in the European theatre and was honorably discharged. He was graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with BBA and later was awarded a Masters degree by Pan American University.

Initially a schoolteacher, Mr. Vera worked summers at Amex Cotton Company (Hohenberg) and was promoted to cotton broker by his Company where he worked for many years until he returned to teaching at the collegiate level. Jesus was universally respected and loved by his students at Texas Southmost College.

Mr. Vera is best remembered by his friends and family for his love of music and dancing, his kindly nature, his unique sense of humor and his deep affection for the community of Brownsville. The family would like to thank Chele and Vero for the loving care of their father.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28th in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29th at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road.

We ask that everyone go directly to the church for the Mass. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. A celebration of his life will be held afterward at 45 Holly Lane.