Who was Juven Villegas

A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Service

Juven Villegas of El Paso, Texas—a devout Catholic, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and lifelong servant to his community—returned to God’s arms on September 1, 2020. While his passing left a void that can never be filled, his legacy continues to live on through his family and the countless lives he touched. Juven had a rare gift for making people feel seen, welcomed, and valued. He never met a stranger, and his warmth, humor, and genuine kindness left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

Born and raised in El Paso’s historic Segundo Barrio, Juven was the youngest of five children. His family’s roots were shaped by hard work and perseverance after his father relocated them to the area through the Bracero Program in the late 1950s. These early years instilled in Juven a deep respect for faith, family, and service—values that guided him throughout his life.

At just 17 years old, Juven met the love of his life, Elsa. Together, they built a marriage grounded in faith and devotion, receiving the holy sacrament of marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on October 20, 1973. As longtime members of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Juven faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, catechist, choir member, Cursillista, and ACTS brother. His faith was not something he spoke about lightly—it was something he lived daily. Juven often said, "One day at a time", “Gracias a Dios” and believed wholeheartedly that “Con Dios todo se puede.”

For over 30 years, Juven proudly served as a mentor at the David L. Carrasco Job Corps, where he helped guide and inspire hundreds of young men and women. He found true joy in seeing others succeed and took pride in hearing former students share their accomplishments years later. Later in life, he worked alongside his sons at Longhorn Electrical Services and continued serving others through the home health industry, where he brought comfort, compassion, and even song to senior adults.

Juven was a family man in every sense of the word. He cherished time with his children and especially adored his grandchildren, whom he supported with unwavering love and pride. He was known for organizing family road trips—whether to Universal Studios or to see his New York Yankees play—creating memories that will live on for generations. His loyalty to his family, including his siblings and father, never wavered.

A passionate athlete, Juven played softball for more than 20 years with teams including the Alley Cats, Zapata, El Paso Kings, Strikers, and Marlboro. His dedication to the sport and love for teamwork earned him induction into the El Paso Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 2015. He was a proud graduate of El Paso High School (Class of 1972) and later earned his degree from The University of Texas at El Paso in 2006—proof that growth and learning never stop.