Justo Emilio González

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Justo Emilio González passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, the 21st of January 2026.

Born in Brownsville, Texas on February 3, 1965, Justo, or as those who were closest knew him, “Jed,” was a proud father and the reigning “Dad Jokes Champion” to his two children, a small business owner with his brother, an avid golfer, barbeque grill master, and the greatest sports aficionado you could ever meet.

The youngest of five siblings, Justo was born to the late Henry and Mary Lou González as the second book-end son who would share a special lifelong relationship with his parents until each of their final days. He was born to be an all-star athlete just like his father. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School where he was recognized with the Sammy Stevenson Memorial Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year Award at a very young age (one his daughter would make him so proud to also receive nearly 30 years later) and then went on to attend Saint Joseph Academy where his glory days revolved around football, basketball, and track. Known to be “old-school” and always kick barefoot, Justo broke records and was an all-state athlete for the Bloodhounds as fullback, middle linebacker, and kicker.

Recruited out of high school and motivated by his love of the game, Justo was determined to play college ball upon graduation in 1983. Despite his entire family’s Aggie roots, he matriculated to Seguin, Texas as a linebacker turned kicker for Texas Lutheran University for two years and later transferred to kick for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. While he primarily majored in football and study breaks at “The Library,” he earned his TCU degree in communications in 1987, which he often joked was thanks to securing his final credits in art history and appreciation through studies abroad. It was the time of his life, and he enjoyed every bit of it, but in the end, always did wish he’d attended Texas A&M. He always told the story of “the game in Kyle Field” the hairs on the back of his neck stood up stiff at the sound of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band entering the stadium. Though the Frogs got schooled 74 to 10 by the Aggies, he at least got to live out his dream of kicking off in Kyle Field.

Following graduation and feeling the call to help run the family business, Justo returned home to Brownsville to join his dad and brother, Henry, in running The Oyster Bar Seafood Restaurants across the Rio Grande Valley for the rest of his days. Shortly after returning home, he quickly learned the seafood business and joined the Brownsville “Jaycees,” a local, nonprofit civic organization dedicated to developing leadership skills in young people through community service and focused on personal growth, networking, and improving the community by providing scholarships, promoting amateur athletics, and organizing local projects. This is where he would meet his former wife, Dahlia, and would become a husband and father, and the two enjoyed raising their greatest pride and joy, Alexandra and Justo Emilio, Jr., who both made him a proud “Fightin’ Texas Aggie and Corps of Cadets Dad.” It was also at Texas A&M where by an Act of God and only fate could ever explain… his son, Justo González, Jr., would be randomly assigned to his Corps dorm roommate, Henry García, Jr., son of the late Henry García, who also played football at TCU in 1986 and 1987 and was randomly assigned to Justo González as his college dorm roommate, while they played for the Horned Frogs.

For fifteen years, Justo logged more miles than measurable on trips to and from College Station to visit his two Aggies and support them at their special events, to attend football games with his parents and sister, Cissie, and eventually to just hang out and spoil his new and only granddaughter, Valencia. Aside from the golf course, Aggieland was his happy place.

Justo was a simple man, who loved his family and his sports. He had such a special relationship with his great-grandfather, the late Justo Barrientes, Sr., Tío Carlos Gonzales, and of course, his “Dad,” who always yanked his chain and kept him humble on the golf course and with his poker game. He loved supporting his kids in absolutely everything, whether it be at their soccer, basketball, and football games, golf tournaments across the state, awards banquets, and beyond. He didn’t cook, but he sure knew how to fire up the grill to barbeque for his family at a moment’s notice. He loved watching his teams anytime they were playing, be it the Aggies, Cowboys, Astros, Spurs, Tiger and Phil in the Majors, or any other athletic event, really. If Tin Cup, Rudy, Field of Dreams, Caddyshack, Tommy Boy, The Lion King, Ice Age or The Andy Griffith Show were on, he was watching, no matter how many times he’d already seen them, and always included a nap somewhere in between. His taste in music was diverse, ranging from The Beatles, Brooks & Dunn, America, and the Beach Boys, to the musical of Les Misérables. He was most comfortable at home in basketball shorts and an Aggie t-shirt, and his hideous “chanclas” were always within reach. While he was more often reserved and portrayed a large, tough demeanor, those who knew him best got to see how soft and lighthearted he truly was. He begrudgingly “adopted” a little cat his brother “found,” named, Camo, who despite his complaining, always kept him company and his “panza” warm. He had no competition when it came to the arsenal of memes and gifs in his phone, always ready with which to send for a perfect response. His dad jokes for his kids knew no bounds!

His last years were undoubtedly devoted to his parents’ health and revamp of The Oyster Bar on Paredes Line Road with his brother and son. He found so much joy and camaraderie in being part of the “Los Toritos” lunch group where colorful language, crude humor, and thick skin were membership requirements. His sister, Cissie, always was ready for him to watch an episode of their latest show, paired with something good to eat. He never laughed or smiled more than when he became “Grandpa” and cherished all the memories made with his children.

He will be missed immensely.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Lou González; his grandparents for whom he was named, Consuelo and Justo Barrientes, Sr. and Maria and Emilio González; and other relatives.

Justo is survived by his children, Alexandra (Jayton) Rainey and Justo Emilio González, Jr.; his granddaughter, Valencia Alejandra Rainey; his siblings, Henry (Rita) González, Cissie González, Lettie González, and Magda (Charles) Tandy; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, the 28th of January 2026 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o’clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o’clock Wednesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at nine o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 29th of January 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. All services will conclude at the church.

Honored to serve as his pallbearers are his sons, Justo Emilio González, Jr. and Jayton Rainey; his brother, Henry González; nephew, Devin Oliveira; and friends, Mike Wood, Enrique Saldaña, Neto Roser, and Mike Garcia.

Honorary pallbearers include his father, the late Henry González; his uncle, Carlos Gonzales; and friends, Bob Hayter, Luke Fruia, Enrique Saldaña, Fred Kennedy, and the late, Ted Gray.

His children would like to give special gratitude to his dear friend and proud member of the lunch group, Father Amador Garza, for traveling great distances and willingness to serve as celebrant for the funeral services.

In lieu of floral arrangements and customary remembrances, please consider making a memorial contribution in his honor to Saint Joseph Academy Athletics (www.sja.us/support-sja/memory) or to the Mary Lou and Henry González ’58 Endowed Memorial Aggie Ring Scholarship at Texas A&M University for worthy students (tx.ag/HenryGonzalez).

Memories of Justo may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.