Dr. Juan Homero Hinojosa

Dr. Juan Homero Hinojosa, 67, retired educator, entered into the presence of the almighty on December 23, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico on January 23, 1957, the son of the late Homero and Rosalinda Hinojosa.

Surviving him are his sons: Juan Homero Hinojosa II and Giovanni Emmanuel Hinojosa; mother of his children: Patricia Hinojosa; siblings: Jose Luis Hinojosa, Rosalinda Hinojosa, Azucena M. Hinojosa, Martha B. Hinojosa, Margarita Hinojosa, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends he met along the way.

On May 1975 Juan Homero Hinojosa graduated as salutatorian of his class from Eagle Pass High School and went on to graduate from Brown University in Providence RI with a ScB degree in Physics and Mathematics in 1979. That same year he was accepted at Johns Hopkins University, receiving his M.A. degree in Geophysics in 1983; this was also the year he married Patricia Martinez on December 30.

In 1986 he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geophysics from Johns Hopkins after completion and presentation of his dissertation titled "On the State of Isostasy in the Central Pacific Static and Dynamic Compensation Mechanisms".

It was at Johns Hopkins University where his love for research began with numerous publications; presentations ignited by his collaborative work with Professor Bruce D Marsh and financial assistance provided by a NASA grant.

Dr. Hinojosa continued his research, published and taught Geophysics at University of Texas at El Paso.

During his years at UTEP, he and his wife welcomed their 2 sons, Juan Homero Hinojosa II born in 1988 and Giovanni Emmanuel Hinojosa born in 1990.

Dr. Hinojosa was invited to present his research on gravity and topography of Mars, at Laredo State University where he was offered a teaching position. His family moved to Laredo Texas and since then, he has resided in Laredo teaching at TAMIU with over 36 years of University Level instruction, contributing in countless ways to the University and community. He has taught University Physics I and II, Principles of Astronomy, and Math while continuing his research and volunteering his time as a judge at many Science Fairs, creating online lessons during COVID and working with online assignments systems to help support student learning and tutorials.

His ongoing research in collaboration with several scientists including his colleague and friend Dr. Kevin Mickus, dates back since 1983 publishing highly referenced articles such as "Gravity Gradient Tensor Determined from Vertical Gravity," to "Fortran Program to Model the Formation of Forland Basins to Thermoelastic modeling of Lithospheric Uplift." 

Dr. Hinojosa's love and enthusiasm for research, discovery, and education have earned him respect in his field, as well as several nominations and awards including University Distinguished Teacher of the Year recipient in 2020.

Dr. Hinojosa was a true intellectual and earned his success in everything he did. He has enriched the lives of thousands of students, numerous colleagues, and during his impressive tenured academic career, he continued to help and support his parent's small financial loan company in Eagle Pass.

He was a highly respected scholar and researcher, and very much loved by his family. He will continue to live in our hearts and in our memories. During his time in the hospital, in a conversation, he shared that he was still conducting research, but cancer had stopped him. Cancer did not stop him; he was not defeated, he was brave and remained positive, and when it was time, he asked for his immediate family to gather around him to say goodbye. His faith in God never failed, and when it was God's will, He welcomed our beloved Juan Homero Hinojosa to his kingdom, to restore him and grant him eternal life. We will miss you so much, but we will never forget you, our beloved scholar, husband, loving son, brother and father. 

Condolences will be received on Friday, January 3, 2025, from 9 am until 12 noon at Hillside Funerals & Cremations. A Liturgy of the Word will commence at 12 noon in the chapel.

Procession will form and depart the chapel for the Rite of Committal and Interment at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hillside Funerals & Cremations; 310 W. Hillside Rd.; Laredo, TX 78041; 956.724.6060