Juan Pablo Mergil

Juan Pablo Mergil, 76, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024 in El Paso, Texas. He was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on February 8, 1948 to Ricardo and Juana Mergil. Immigrating to the United States as child with his family, he made a life-long home in the city that he loved, El Paso, Texas. He attended Bowie High School and La “Tech” where he played varsity football and wrestling. His mother passed away when he was only 16, yet he graduated all the while making ends meet selling the Sunday Times not far from Segundo Barrio with his brother Pilo. After high school, he was drafted to the United States Army where he served a tour in Vietnam for which he was awarded a Medal of Commendation. He married his first wife, Mary Luevano Mergil, with whom he had four children. He attended and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and worked for Southwestern Bell until he retired in 2010 where he was an active member of the Union and served as president. He married his second wife, Alba Bermudez Mergil, in 1999.

In addition to many loved ones and beloved community members who called him brother, friend, cuñado, tío, and father, Juan is survived by his spouse, Alba Mergil, sister, Ernestina Tuten and spouse Melvin, younger brother Neli Guerrero, brother Pilo Guillen, brother and sister-in-law Macario and Johanna Guillen, brother and sister-in-law Pedro and Laura Guillen, sister Patricia Ibarra and spouse. Juan is also survived by his four children, Rebeca Mergil, Fernando and spouse Erin Mergil, Victor Mergil, Elena Mergil Diaz and step children Rosie Daza, Angel Perez and Carlos Perez. He is predeceased by his grandsons, Daniel Mergil and Joaquin Mergil, while his other grandchildren, Angel Mergil, Alejandro Quiroz, Christian Mergil, Juan Quiroz, Ana Mergil, Benjamín Mergil, Mateo Mergil, Talia Mergil, Alba Perez, Camilo Daza, and Siara Daza, mourn his passing. Juan is also survived by his great-grandchildren Angel Mergil Jr. and Mary Mergil. He is also survived by many, many nephews and nieces who considered him a second father.

Juan was known for his generosity towards others. He took in so many of his nieces and nephews over the years and helped so many people when they were down and out. He was also a life-long Dallas Cowboys fan, taking several trips to see them play with his son Victor, his son Christian, nephews Jesse and David DeLaO, and grandchildren Angel and Daniel Mergil. One of his favorite pastimes was taking rusty old cars and fixing them up including most recently a ‘66 Mustang convertible he bought on his last visit to New York, where his son, Fernando, resides with his family.

Juan will be dearly, dearly missed. His booming baritone voice is still resounding in our ears and will be until we meet again in Heaven. May his beautiful soul rest in Eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ.