Colleagues honor McAllen’s Joe Vera’s creative legacy at celebration of life

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McALLEN — The colorful life of Joe Vera, the assistant city manager here, was celebrated Monday in a service at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

Before he died on April 16, Vera described his work in McAllen as his “dream job.” He is remembered as a visionary who embodied transformative leadership and possessed a discerning spirit that could spark hearts into action.

A public viewing marked the opening for the two days of remembrance, followed by a 5 p.m. service where Vera’s colleagues and loved ones shared heartwarming stories detailing his extraordinary life, and the undeniable mark he left on the Rio Grande Valley.

“Joe left footprints all over,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos as he delivered the service’s opening remarks.

He spoke about Vera’s many achievements in McAllen, highlighting his great strides with the Holiday Street Parade. Villalobos was observably taken aback by emotion while addressing Vera’s widow, Alma.

Mariachi Continental played an emotional tribute to Vera, inciting many tears across the crowded auditorium. The vibrant strumming, accompanied by the lively horns and passionate vocals, beckoned the audience’s attention, as Vera rested peacefully on stage.

Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, former McAllen city manager, shared many memories of Vera during his eulogy, sprinkled with bits of light-hearted humor to provide levity amidst the overwhelming aura of grief weighing heavily in the space.

Rodriguez called Vera a mentor to many in the Valley, touching so many hearts as worked tirelessly to cultivate grand events that brought people together. He said there weren’t enough words to describe Vera, “who brought so much joy to so many people.”

“There was nothing Joe couldn’t do …” said Rodriguez. “He changed our world.”

He credited Vera’s “vast imagination” as the reason many of his projects were so successful, and pledged that it will never be forgotten. He shared his hope that a bit of Vera’s magic will be left behind in those he collaborated with.

Rodriguez said Vera had a knack for accomplishing seemingly impossible ideas that would continuously pay off in great volumes. This sentiment was echoed by former Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz, whom Vera worked with closely for many years prior to his service in McAllen.

Franz shared multiple first-hand experiences with Vera as a testament to his unduplicated creativity.

For example, in the late 1990s, a hive of Africanized honey bees was found at Hidalgo’s city limits, and even though many citizens were buzzing with panic, Vera saw opportunity. He pitched the idea of erecting a statue of the world’s largest killer bee, and today, Hidalgo is known as the “killer bee capital of the world.”

Franz cemented the premise that Vera put his all into securing Hidalgo’s spot on the map.

Vera brought that same gumption to McAllen, as acknowledged and praised by many of his colleagues like City Manager Isaac Tawil. He will be remembered for his abounding accomplishments, from his grand work with BorderFest to the strides he made with the McAllen Marathon.

The service was capped off with a rosary led by The Legion of Saint Mary, St. Jude Parish and Sonia Villarreal.

A Celebration of Life Parade ended the evening. The McAllen Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipe and Drum Corps led the farewell tribute procession.

On Tuesday, a Mass honoring Vera fittingly took place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hidalgo. According to Rodriguez, Vera played a crucial role in the construction of this church as one of his final projects in Hidalgo.

He was laid to rest that day at the Palm Valley Memorial Gardens.

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