Gustavo Reyna Jr.

Gustavo Reyna, Jr. eighty-eight years old, of Brownsville, TX, entered into eternal rest on April 1, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Gus was born in Refugio ,TX on January 22, 1936. Gus grew up in Corpus Christi, TX where he was a graduate of W.B. Ray High School and moved to Brownsville in the 1960’s where he raised his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gustavo and Irene Reyna, his sister Rachel de la Garza and his daughter, Evanna (Bonnie) Reyna .

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of fifty-eight years, Frances Reyna; his children, Sandra(Rene) Gomez, Patricia ( Alejandro) Benavides, Steven Taylor, Kenneth Reyna, and Mark Taylor; his grandchildren Justin Rene Gomez, Cassandra Renee Gomez, Lauren Nicole Gomez, Victoria (Hector) Rodriguez and Damian Alejandro Benavides, and Kenneth (Jay) J.Reyna, and Maleia Deeann Taylor, Amy Nicole Taylor and Christian Mark Taylor; great-granddaughter, Lyla Eliana Rodriguez; his siblings Liana Reyna , Jose Reynaldo Reyna, Roberto Reyna, and Tony Reyna . He will be greatly missed.

Gus began his retail sales career in Brownsville at Zarsky’s Lumber. He then moved on to clothing retail where Gus grew a reputation and was known as a man of great style and class who enjoyed helping others get fitted to look their best. He had an extensive clientele in Brownsville for many years working at popular stores such as J&O, Paul’s Manshop, Mr. John’s, Border Britches, Anthony’s, Dillard’s and Cavendar’s Western Outfitter. Gus was also a local, small business owner of Reyna’s Ranchwear in town where he was a signature cowboy hat master. This was a great passion and craft he shared within the community.

Gus enjoyed spending quality time with his family and compadres. Many enjoyed being alongside Gus who would share stories or offer some great advice. His sense of humor filled a room with contagious laughter. Gus was larger than life and wherever he went he made new friends and could strike up long conversations.

A proud veteran, Gus served our nation honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. He demonstrated an unwavering dedication to his country. His giving heart extended to the community in service. Gus was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church since its inception and became a member of the Knights of Columbus and the local Kiwanis Club providing service to build faith, goodwill, justice and patriotism. In addition, Gus volunteered his time to help support Catholic education by assisting in the St. Joseph Academy’s Style Show in its early years.

One of his favorite pastimes was cheering on his grandkids while they played various sports. He was their biggest fan. He loved baseball, a sport he played as a youth. He enjoyed watching and keeping up with Texas Rangers Baseball with his family. Gus was also an outdoorsman and many of his stories were about his times hunting on the Tijerina Ranch and fishing.

Gus’ legacy is his beautiful family. His values of faith, family, hard work and love of country are shared and cherished by his loved ones. He exemplified these values not only in words but in actions.

Visitation is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 8th with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9th at Mary, Mother of the Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Interment is to follow with military honors at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens at 11:00 a.m.

Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485

To send flowers or a plant to the family in the memory of Mr. Gustavo Reyna Jr., please visit Didi’s Flower Shop at Sunset Memorial, place your order online at https://didisflowershop.com/shop or call (956) 572-3872.