Dagoberto Barrera

A true believer in the American way and a loyal patriot to the core, Dagoberto Barrera left this earth peacefully at his home on September 10, 2017. He was born on January 1, 1932 in Brownsville, Texas and from a very young age, learned the value of hard work and the value of a dollar.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Berta Barrera and his only brother Joe (Hilda+) Barrera. Dagoberto Barrera is survived by his first wife, Alma G. Leal Barrera of South Padre Island, his current wife Maria De La Cruz Barrera and his sisters, Alma B. (Mike+) Torres and Berta (Ruben) Guerra, both from Brownsville, Texas. He is also survived by his three children. Roxanne B. Perez of Brownsville, Dean Barrera of Dallas, and Tracy (Michael) McElhenie of Dallas. Mr. Barrera also had two step-sons; Luis Alberto (Juany) Silo and Rogelio (Malisa) Silo of Matamoros. Dagoberto had five grandchildren. Victoria Perez of Dallas, Mikey Perez of San Antonio, Cameron, Braeden and Kathryn McElhenie of Dallas. He was also fortunate to have step-grandchildren; Alberto, Valeria, Lily, Ximena, Bryan and Maria Silo of Matamoros. At a very young age, he began his career as a teacher for Brownsville ISD. He then went on to TSTC as a counselor in Harlingen for 20 years and retired. Mr. Barrera chose to go back to work a second time as a counselor for Brownsville ISD only because of a man (Mr. Roger Arredondo) whom he genuinely respected all his life. Dagoberto’s most gratifying accomplishment was when he was appointed to the Department of Education by President Ronald Reagan in 1981-1989. Dagoberto was a veteran of the Navy and fought in the Korean Conflict. He was very proud of his stint with the Golden Gloves Boxing Association while in the United States Navy and while attending Corpus Christi University. In 2004, ex-Brownsville mayor, Eddie Trevino Jr. and city commission presented a proclamation to him for his community involvement and his boxing history. He was truly honored by that gesture and never forgot it. Dagoberto Barrera was the biggest supporter of ALL Law Enforcement Agencies and Armed Services and always acknowledged them in public no matter where he was. Dagoberto Barrera always wanted the best for his country and was so very proud to be an American.
There will be a visitation service held on Friday, September 15, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory. On Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory the memorial will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with military honors to be held by the American Legion John Hanson Post #43 at 11:30 a.m. with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 12:00 noon and at 1:30 p.m. a Jehovah Service will be held. Services have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485