Juan Antonio Herrera

Juan Antonio Herrera Pérez, 96, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2022, after twenty-four days of coping with a broken heart from the loss of his wife of 63 years, Gladys. Juan was born on June 13, 1926, in Caracas, Venezuela, as the oldest of six children to Jesús María Herrera and Dolores Pérez. He had a passion for reading and learning. He married the love of his life, Gladys de las Mercedes Ball Díaz, on December 19, 1959, in Caracas, Venezuela. He had a long and successful career as a corporate accountant and after three attempts, he finally retired in 1995. In 1997, they sold all their possessions in Caracas and moved to Knoxville, TN to join their children and grandchildren. He attended Spanish-language Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and together with his wife began fostering a well-knit Hispanic Catholic community. He wrote a monthly column for La Cosecha, and along with his wife, conducted countless pre-baptismal preparation classes and provided pre-marriage counseling to more than sixty couples. In 2003, he became a proud American Citizen. His 63-year marriage to Gladys served as a beacon and example to all who witnessed their constant companionship, steadfast affection, and unwavering respect for each other. Together, they were both bedrock foundation and cornerstone serving as Godparents, Counselors, Sponsors, Witnesses, and Ministers of their faith. In 2015, he earned an Advanced Biblical Studies degree from the University of Dallas School of Ministry. He is survived by his youngest sister Cecilia Herrera; son Dr. Juan Antonio Herrera and wife Kim Suzanne Herrera; daughter Pérsides Mercedes Zambrano and husband Angel Eduardo Zambrano; grandchildren Lucas Antonio Herrera and wife Katherine Brink Herrera, Mercedes Elena Zambrano, Maximiliano Antonio Herrera and wife Dr. Erika Love Wild Herrera, Angel Ignacio Zambrano, and Dr. Noelle Daun Herrera; great-grandchildren Eli Antonio, Wilder Antonio, and Isabel Brinkley; beloved nieces and nephews; and all of his dear godchildren and many friends who are still with us to carry on his memory. Receiving of Friends will be at Rose Funeral and Cremation -Mann (6200 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919) on Friday, Nov. 18 from 4-6pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral (711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919) at 1pm on Saturday, Nov. 19 with Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating time, talent, or treasure in his honor to Sacred Ground Hospice House at https://sacredgroundresidentialhospice.com. Online condolences may be made at rosefuneraltn.com.

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Juan Antonio Herrera

June 13, 1926 - November 14, 2022