Jose Gerardo Contreras, Jr.

Jose Gerardo Contreras Jr., 26, passed away Saturday, January 09, 2010, in San Antonio, TX. Jose Gerardo Contreras was loved and admired by so many people. He was talented both academically, as well as in athletics. “Jerry”, as he was known by many, was an All City and All District Performer who wore the #42 jersey for Laredo Martin, but also wore the #50 burnt orange and white Texas Longhorns jersey. Jerry was only the second Martin High School grad to make the UT Longhorns football team. He was one of nine walk-ons at Texas. Even if he hadn’t made the Texas football team, Jerry’s grades in high school were good enough to earn him an academic scholarship to the University of Texas, as he was a Presidential Academic Scholarship Award winner. Jerry was ranked at the top of his class at #8 out of 348 students. He was an outstanding athlete who was selected all district 30-5A Defensive MVP Player of the Year, made it to the regional track meet as a junior, and was on the power lifting team. Jerry was also chosen for head of the class, Boys State, Class of 2001 Hall of Fame, and he also graduated under the Distinguished Achievement Plan. Not only was he popular on the playing fields and in the classrooms, but Jerry was also a class favorite as he was selected Most Popular Runner Up, Most Studious Runner Up, and Most Athletic Runner Up. The “All American Football” player also competed and placed in the International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, California. Jerry, and his research partner, Humberto Frausto, his longtime friend, had their research published in the American Journal of Psychology. Their award winning project garnered them a “Special Award” and scholarship money for their award-winning science fair research. Jerry was a remarkable person whose fun-loving spirit will be greatly missed by many. Jerry was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather: Ernesto Flores. He is survived by his Parents: Jose Gerardo Contreras Sr. and Elma Contreras, his daughter: Devanie Danielle Contreras, brothers: Jorge Gilberto Contreras, Jaime (Monica) Gabriel Contreras, Jesus Gustavo Contreras, and Joseph Gabino Contreras, sister: Deanna Denise Contreras, niece: Daylah Dayleen Contreras, paternal grandparents: Gerardo Isabel Contreras and Maria de Jesus Saldaña, maternal grandmother: Elisa M. Flores, cousin and compadre: Jose Antonio Lopez, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends that will all greatly miss him.A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services from 5pm-9pm, with a vigil for the deceased at 7pm. Funeral services will be Friday, January 15, 2010, with a funeral cortege from Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 8:30am. Interment will follow immediately at the City Cemetery. Funeral service arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral directors of Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services, 4502 Thomas Ave., Laredo, TX 78041, 956-723-3611.