CUERO - Lorenzo "T.J." Tijerina, 71, of Cuero, passed away Friday, June 12, 2009. He was born April 18, 1938, in Gonzales, to the late Lucas Tijerina and Jesusa Tijerina. He married Aurora B. Tijerina on Dec. 31, 1988, in Cuero.

He was a jewelry salesman. He served in Berlin, Laos, Cuban Crisis, Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a member of the VFW, DAV, and was a Red Cross volunteer.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Sylvia Tijerina of Chicago, Elizabeth Mercado of Rosenberg, Betty Martinez of Needville, JoAnn Renteria of Cuero, and Doreen Lance of Middleburg, Fla.; sons, Tommy Tijerina of Modesto, Calif., and Paul Tijerina of Rosenberg; sister, Connie Urban of San Antonio; brother, Alfredo Tijerina of Rosenberg; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jose Homero Tijerina, Rolando Tijerina, and Raymond Tijerina.

Visitation will be from 4-5 p.m. with a rosary from 5-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with Father Kirby Hlavaty officiating. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Francisco Vargas, Andrew Vargas, Noel Vargas, Justin Martinez, Edward Lance III, and Robert Martinez.
Honorary pallbearer is his son, Paul Tijerina.

Memorials may be made to the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Freund Funeral Home, Cuero, 361-275-2343.