It is with a heavy heart that the Amaro family announces the death of fellow San Antonian Juan Jose Amaro. Known to family, friends, and countless others as J.J. Amaro, J.J. spent the majority of his life serving and giving back to the San Antonio community in an infinite number of ways.

J.J. passed away on the morning of May 11th after a year-long battle of cancer. His legacy will forever resonate with many fellow San Antonians as he leaves behind innumerable acts of kindness and service within the community. Among J.J.’s many accomplishments and charitable projects, he always had uncompromising ethics and strong religious beliefs which made him the outstanding person many knew him as.

Starting out as Director of Corporate Affairs for Crain Distributing Company in 1982, J.J. was instrumental in the profitable transition of the distributing company when Vincent and Berkley Dawson acquired the company and transitioned to BudCo, Ltd. in 1990. He served as a Chairman for the Anheuser-Busch Marketing Advisory Panel and was eventually promoted to Vice President of Marketing at BudCo, Ltd. for twenty-eight years before his retirement in 2009 from the newly acquired Silver Eagle Distributors. J.J. also served as an invaluable member on the board of trustees of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) for a decade. His volunteer service to the utility and to the residents of the Alamo City improved SAWS’s position at the time and helped the system gain innovative and environmental excellence awards.

Among J.J.’s acts of public service, he additionally served as a panel member for the United Way and for Holy Cross High School. He was Chairman for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Co-Chairman of Teletón Navideño, member of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, supporter of the Healy Murphy Center, and Vice President on the St. Peter and St. Joseph Children’s Home Board of Trustees.

J.J.’s love of the community also led him to become a board member for the San Antonio Parks Foundation, a member of the Seton Home Advisory, the United Negro College Fund Advisory, the San Fernando Cathedral Foundation, and the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse organization. In addition, he was a previous member of the Knights of Columbus for St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, a parishioner at several churches to include St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, St. John Berchmans Catholic Church, St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church and Mission Concepcion where he served there as a member of the finance council.

J.J. dedicated his life to serving others. His strive to be more like Christ Jesus inspired him to institute his own non-profit, Broken But Blest. He became a member of the A.C.T.S movement where he knew he could give back to others spiritually. He served as both a team member and co-director on countless men’s A.C.T.S. retreats later proposing the idea to build a long-anticipated and desperately needed retreat center on the southside of San Antonio. J.J., along with the support of others, started the rehabilitation of the abandoned St. Cecilia’s Catholic School on Presa St. in hopes of one day turning the old school into a retreat center. The mission to fulfill his dream will continue with the help of others. For J.J., serving God was his lifelong mission.

While J.J.’s acts of service covered many different demographics, ethnicities, and communities alike, J.J. always believed in the importance of an education. With his dedication in providing others a strong education, J.J. collaborated with Dr. Ricardo Romo (Former President of the University of Texas at San Antonio), Dr. Louis Agnese Jr. (Former President of the University of the Incarnate Word), and Dr. Charles Catrell (Former President of St. Mary’s University).

J.J. will always be fervently remembered as a remarkable, hardworking, kind individual who never wavered in his faith and always led by example.
For more information regarding J.J.’s funeral, visit the link below to view his obituary:
https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/21126655/JJ-Amaro