John-Paul Kelly Caro Obituary (1987 - 2014)

John-Paul Kelly Caro came into this world two months early, and on March 18, 2014, he left this world many years too soon at the age of 26. John-Paul, or "J.P.," as he was known to many, was born to Hudson and Brenda Caro in Galveston on August 19, 1987, and grew up in Texas City, attending Our Lady of Fatima School, Heights Elementary, and TCISD schools, where he developed many special relationships with his teachers, whom he never forgot and who never forgot him. Growing up, he participated in soccer, baseball, football, Upward basketball, student council, and numerous other activities. As a teenager, he and his friends enjoyed late night LAN parties and many weekends of riding their bikes around town, skim-boarding at Northside field, engaging in airsoft and paintball wars in the woods behind Sonic, and various other forms of fun and mischief. He graduated from TCHS in 2006. In the years that followed, he attended College of the Mainland and worked various jobs at TCISD, Kroger, Pier 1, Best Buy, Lowe's, and H-E-B. In everything that John-Paul did, he earned people's trust and admiration, as well as a reputation for being a hard worker. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed video games, film (especially Glory and Star Wars), film scores, and musicals. J.P. was also a history buff and independently studied several historical events, especially the sinking of theTitanic, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War. In addition to his many interests, John-Paul's generosity was legendary. From giving money from his piggy bank to an injured firefighter at the age of three, to paying for strangers' meals at restaurants as an adult, John-Paul gave without regard to his own needs and without expecting anything in return. Always a champion of the underdog, he upheld a high standard of justice and especially admired people in heroic professions. Over his life, he aspired to be everything from pope, to military man, to fireman, to high school history teacher. He was a passionate and compassionate soul, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. John-Paul is preceded in death by his grandmothers, Mildred Kelly, Maxine Waldrop and Dorothy Cook; his uncles, Michael Kelly and Richard Marschner; and his aunt and godmother Frances Berntsen. He is survived by his parents, Hudson and Brenda Caro of Texas City; grandfather, James Kelly of Texas City; sisters Mary Colvin and her husband, Joseph, of Houston and Emily Farha of Texas City; aunt and godmother Edith Rogers; aunts Darlene Khosrowpour and husband Farzad of Pflugerville, Laura Delesandri and husband Chris of Texas City, Deborah Pennington and husband Melvin of Bay City, and Denise Kelly of Texas City; nieces Julia Colvin and Layla Farha; nephews Joe and Henry Colvin; cousins Sean Adams, Sherene and Kayvon Khosrowpour, T.J. Aulds, Shannon Matus, Brent Pennington, James Fremont, Sarah Fremont, Jessica Hazzard, and Bryan Kelly; best friend since fifth grade, Joshua Saines; childhood friend, Hyder King; and numerous relatives, friends, teachers, and co-workers whose lives he touched during his short time on this earth. The visitation will be held at Carnes Funeral Home at 3100 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, TX 77591 on Sunday, March 23, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., with a Rosary and service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal at 1604 9th Ave. N., Texas City, TX 77590on Monday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Gary Rickles and Rev. Tom Ponzini officiating, assisted by Deacons Joe Hensley and Steve Mistretta. A fellowship meal will be held following the mass at the Ponzini Family Life Center. Joshua Saines, Bryan Kelly, Joseph Colvin, James Fremont, Travis Hazzard, Bryan Hazzard and Bob Narvaez will serve as pallbearers. People attending the visitation or Funeral Mass may, if they choose, honor John-Paul in a special way by wearing red and black, his favorite colors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Psoriasis Foundation, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, and Our Lady of Fatima School.