John Rosas Villarreal

John Rosas Villarreal was called to his heavenly home on Friday, August 26 ^th .  John was born in Elgin, Texas on March 22, 1943, to Encarnacion and Nasaria Rosas. He was proceeded in death by his wife Gloria, his parents, brother Joe Villarreal, his brother-in-law, Manuel Morin, and sister-in-law, Betty Villarreal.  He is survived by his daughter, Michelle Lopez (of Buda), son-in-law, Fernando Lopez, grandchildren Nicolas and Mariela Lopez, brothers Jessie Villarreal (of Dallas), George and Frances Villarreal (of El Paso) and sister Mary Morin (of Dallas).    John was a longtime resident of Bastrop, Texas, where he owned and operated John’s Hair Design.

John met Gloria during high school, where he played drums for Elgin High School and she played clarinet for Bastrop High School.  They were formally introduced by Gloria’s brother Gilbert Cervantes, at the Bastrop State Swimming Pool.  Gloria was shy and not interested in John, but he was persistent as he was always looking for reasons to go to Bastrop to see Gloria.

After graduating from Elgin High School in 1963, John enlisted in the United States Navy.  During his enlistment he served as a corpsman during Vietnam.  Towards the end of his enlistment, he heard about an audition for a drummer and walked in.  He impressed the band’s manager and was hired on the spot!  Little did he know, he just landed a gig with legendary B.B. King.  John ended his tour with B.B. King in New York, when he took a position as a NBC Studio musician.  He soon realized that he was missing home and Gloria.  Upon his return, he and Gloria were engaged and married June 30, 1967.

Although John still enjoyed playing the drums, he knew he needed to pursue a career. And after finding his way, he decided to enroll in the Austin Barbering School.  After graduation, he began working at a two chair barber shop located at 928 Main.  Little did he know that his was the beginning of a lifelong career!  R.C. Williams had heard about a young barber who was starting to make a name for himself.  He called on John and told him he was retiring soon and wanted someone to take over his business.  John knew nothing about owning a business, but he knew how to barber!  February 1, 1970, the O.R. Miller housed its newest barber shop, John’s Hair Design.  Over the next 52 years, John worked in the community serving as President of the Jaycee’s and a member of Mina Masonic Lodge #1456; to not only promote his business but to help build up Bastrop’s downtown as we know today.

In 1968 John was baptized in the Baptist faith. God had a true calling for John.  In the years following his baptism, he served as Sunday School Director and later Minster of Education at Primera Baptist Church.  John had found his true passion for assisting in the development of education programs not only for Sunday School but also Discipleship Training.  Over next 40 years he served as Sunday School Director for the Texas Baptist Convention and Sunday School Assist Team for the Austin Baptist Association. In 1992, he received a degree in Religious Education from Austin Baptist Bible Seminary.  John traveled across Texas teaching countless churches how to grow and organize their Sunday School and Discipleship Training.  John truly lived by his favorite bible scripture Matthew 28:16-20, The Great Commission.

John lived a long and prosperous life.  He and Gloria were married for 51 years, before God called her home.  Although he did his best without her, he missed his partner.  And although physical limitations were starting to slow him down, he continued to cut hair and attend church at Faith Baptist Church.  And on occasion you could catch him and a few buddies jamming out at John’s on Monday evenings.  We will all miss seeing him as we walk down Main Street or sitting in his favorite pew on Sundays.  But we have peace knowing he is with those who have passed before him and rejoicing in God’s Glory.