Olegario Reyas Tijerina

PORTAGE – Olegario Reyas Tijerina, age 79, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019 at his home in Portage, surrounded by his loving family.

Olegario was born on March 6, 1940, the son of Juan and Refugia Tijerina. At age 19, Olegario Reyes Tijerina captured 14 year-old Mary Guartuche’s heart. They married in Texas and were together for 57 years. Ole was an avid motorcyclist and loved to work on cars and rebuild them.  He taught his family how to wax their cars correctly. Ole truly enjoyed road trips with Mary as they listened to music and drove all over the country.  When it came time to relax, he and his only love would dance the night away!  When they relocated to Portage to find a more peaceful life, they became members of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where they enjoyed so much meeting new people.  Ole was quite the talker, while Mary sat quietly and patiently waiting for him to get done.  Mary passed away on May 22, 2019 and has been waiting for him in heaven.

He is survived by his children, Eddie (Tess) Tijerina and their daughter, Victoria, Florence (Butch) Salinas and their children, Camellia and Andres, Rita Tijerina (Jamaine) Akins, Ole (Melissa) Tijerina, Jr. and their children, Michael, Tyler, Matthew, Heaven, Christopher, and Amadio, Refugia Tijerina (Delnato) Sheppard, Sr., and their children, Elijha, Joshua, Delnato, Jr., Desiree, Ashley, Delvonte, and Jasmine; 5 great-grandchildren; Ole’s brothers, Simon Tijerina, Refugio Tijerina, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant granddaughter, Gabrielle, his sister, Maria Urbina and his brother, Joe Tijerina.

Services will be private.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.