Juan Manuel Escobar was born on March 11, 1950, in Escobares, Texas, to Filomeno Escobar and Rosita Vera Escobar. Juan passed away on August 12, 2026, at the age of 76 in Kingsville, Texas. He was a gentle and caring person who was loved by all who knew him.

Juan was a 1969 graduate of Roma High School, where he helped put Gladiator basketball on the map. As a 6-foot-1 center, he averaged 24 points per game, earned First-Team All-State honors, and later competed in track at the state meet. He was inducted into the Roma ISD Hall of Honor, the Laredo Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.

After high school, Juan joined the United States Marine Corps and served in combat in Vietnam, where he was wounded in action and later awarded the Purple Heart. Upon returning from Vietnam, Juan was stationed at Marine Corps Barracks 8th & I in Washington, D.C., where he served as a body bearer and was part of the Presidential Honor Guard. During this time, he was a pallbearer for President Harry S. Truman, President Lyndon B. Johnson, J. Edgar Hoover, and Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, the most decorated Marine.

After returning to South Texas, Juan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Texas–Pan American, now known as UTRGV. He began his career with the U.S. Border Patrol in Falfurrias, Texas. He later moved to Kingsville as a supervisor and became Patrol Agent in Charge of the Kingsville Station. During his career, Juan helped establish the K-9 program and BORTAC unit, both of which continue to be used today. He retired from Homeland Security in 2003.

Juan began his political career as a member of the school board, holding many positions, including president, during his years in Falfurrias and Kingsville, Texas. After retiring in 2003, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented District 43 until 2009. He later continued his public service in local government and was elected Kleberg County Judge.

Juan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rosie Gonzalez Escobar; his daughter, Bonnie; his son, Eddie, and daughter-in-law, Marleena; and his grandchildren, Branden and Jacob.

To honor the remarkable life of Juan, there will be a visitation on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, starting at 3:00 PM, with a rosary beginning at 7:00 PM, at St. Gertrude Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will take place the following day on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM at St Gertrude Catholic Church. The interment will be held on August 25, 2026, at 1:45 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, where he will receive military Honors.

Juan will be remembered as an athlete, soldier, leader, genealogist, father, husband, and role model to many in the community.