Juan Heritage

Juan “Johnny” Sotello Heritage, 79, of Brenham, unexpectedly went home to his Lord and Savior on April 22, 2023. Johnny was born on October 20, 1943, in Tilden, TX to Doroteo and Beatrice Heritage. Johnny graduated from McMullen High School in Tilden, TX. Johnny married his beautiful wife, Glenda Hadley, on December 31, 1974.

Growing up, Johnny lived the true cowboy rancher life. He took pride in his upbringing and often attributed his morals and values to the lifestyle which he grew up in. In these early years, he learned patience, love, understanding, kindness, appreciation, and selflessness. It would be these qualities that would carry throughout his life and make him known for the “good man” that he was to all those he would come across. Johnny was a hardworking and devoted family man. He enjoyed his time in the oilfield industry beginning as a Roustabout in 1965 with Mobile Pipeline Company in Alice, TX. He retired as a Pipeline Construction Foreman in 1999 with Mitchell Gas Services in College Station, TX. Although he had reached retirement, he could not just sit at home. He returned to work at Longwood Elastomers in 1999 – 2005; he then took some time for himself before taking his route position in 2007 with The Brenham Banner Press. He was employed with the local paper until December 2020. During his paper route days, he never once met a stranger. You would often hear him reference to others as “my friend.” Going back to Johnny’s early years, he embodied the qualities instilled within him by generously giving to his family and community. You could find him feeding his neighbor’s dog, taking neighbors meals, giving strangers soda money, donating to various community events, lending a helping hand, offering coffee or tea with conversation, providing transportation to those in need, taking in family in need or even giving someone a cash reward for locating his wallet every time he left it at the local Brookshire Brothers.

Johnny loved his entire family. He was the epitome of a family man. Johnny admired and loved his wife, Glenda. Their love for each other was much like a fairytale. They were inseparable and absolute best friends. Where one would go, you would find the other. Throughout their 48 years of marriage, they never stopped dating each other. Weekend trips and visiting local dancehalls were just a couple of their favorite things to do together. Johnny was an admirable father to his children and made certain they were cared for and loved. He taught his children the same morals and values he was raised with, providing them with the opportunity to live out his legacy. He may not have said it often, but his love was felt and purposeful. Johnny was his family’s biggest supporter and the reason they are who they are today. He once stated that his greatest accomplishment in life was his grandchildren. Johnny loved his grandchildren equally, yet uniquely. Each grandchild held a special place in his heart and made him a proud Grandpa!

You would often find Johnny with a great sense of humor and joking around with family and friends. Johnny lived life to the fullest while making sure everyone around him was taken care of while having fun. Johnny knew life should never be taken for granted or lightly, but he also knew life is what you made it and laughter is what brought everyone together. Johnny continued to love, laugh, give, and praise God for the life he was blessed with.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and Doroteo Heritage, daughter Susan Elaine Hadley and father-in-law Charlie Samuel Hadley. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Glenda Heritage, children and grandchildren Georgiane Gessner (Martin) sons Ethan, Jedd, Lynox, and daughter Avery, Patricia Bradshaw (John Curtis) son John Eric, George Barrera son Tristan, Albert Heritage (Rita), Raymond Heritage (Tina) sons Jimmy, Rylan and Dylan and daughter Jessica, Anna Sprouse (Beldon) son BJ and daughters Kim (Eric) and Kristen, Carrie Poehlmann (Todd) sons Richard, Derrick (Taylor) and Lowell, Roland Heritage (Linda) sons Joseph (Lexi), Gabriel, Roland John, and Benjamin, Linda Woodruff (Jim) sons Vincent and Matt (Brittney), grandsons Deon and Devin Ragston; 7 great grandchildren, sisters Angel, Marie, Margaret (Arturo), Frances (Juan), Delia and Andrea, brothers Teo (Mary), Dario (Virginia), Elogio (Roselle), Gilbert (Karla), and Samuel (Janie), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Ronda, Pam (Wayne), Tammy (Troy), Wesley (Betty), and Ronnie (Jeanne), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A visitation for Johnny will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel with the interment to follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Curtis Bradshaw, Martin Gessner, Aaron Hadley, Clinton Hadley, Patrick Lemke, Johnny Segura, Paul Segura, and Jim Woodruff.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be all grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed for the Medical and Funeral Expenses for Heritage Family at https://gofund.me/bbf19a69

Until we meet again my friends!

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833 979.836.3611 and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.