Oct. 17, 1976-April 8, 2007
D.J. (David) Mertens Jr., 30, Rivera, Texas, died April 8, 2007, from injuries received in an accident.
D.J. was born in Mahnomen on Oct. 17, 1976 to David and Gerry (Jasken) Mertens. He was a 1995 graduate of Zapata (Texas) High School, where he was active in track, golf and FFA. He was a black belt in tae kwon do. He was an altar server for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for 12 years. He attended TAMUK in Kingsville, Texas, until he was employed by the Bass Brothers' of El Coyote Ranches, currently employed as their landscape ranch foreman. He was a member of St. Gertrude's Parish in Kingsville and a Knights of Columbus member, and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Rivera.
D.J. enjoyed the outdoors, rodeo, hunting and fishing. His great love was sharing times with his two sons. He also helped coach Little League, soccer and the Kleberg-Kennedy Live Stock Show.
He is survived by his sons, Anthony and Alec; former wife Christina (Guerra) Mertens, Kingsville, Texas; his parents, David and Gerry (Jasken) Mertens Sr., Zapata; sisters, Christina (Willie) Pi?a, Zapata, and Anne (Ray Lino) Hinojosa, Rio Grande City, Texas; grandparents, Anthony and Beatrice Mertens, Ogema, and a niece and nephews.
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Funeral services were April 14, 2007, in Zapata.
Pallbeares were Raymond Ramon, Fidencio De Luna, Eligio Lavdaverde, Homer Villarreal, Jack Lindsey, Ricky Moffitt, James Burnham, Leo Guerra, Ray Lino Hinojosa, Willie Pi?a, Alex Campos, Oscar Dodier, Paul Mertens, Daniel Cavazos, Keith Johnson and Dean Mertens.
Interment was in Zapata County Cemetery, Zapata.
Condolences can be mailed to David and Gerry Mertens, Box 3329 Zapata, Texas 78076.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Zapata.
