Judge Robert "Bobby" Contreras

The Honorable Judge Robert “Bobby” Contreras, 75, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at his residence in Alamo. Born July 12, 1949 and raised in Alamo, Bobby graduated from PSJA High School in 1968. After graduation, he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Deaton. He attended Pan American University and majored in social work. Bobby worked for the Texas Department of Human Services for twenty-three years. Judge Contreras was currently serving as your Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Pl. 1 for the last 25 years. He had also served as a PSJA School Board member for 12 years.

He was a loving and supportive father who taught both his children to have a strong work ethic, to be honest, and most importantly to take care of people. Judge Contreras dedicated his life to helping others and enjoyed serving the community he loved so much. Along with his strong work ethic, Bobby was honest and fair in the courtroom and stayed true to his roots. He enjoyed visiting his friends for an early breakfast at Rex Cafe and for lunch you could always find him at either Junction Café or Taco Fiesta with Barbara by his side. During times spent with his friends and family, Bobby was always known for telling a good story or a funny joke. But most importantly he loved being a grandpa to his three grandchildren Taylor Ann, Samantha Ann, and Nathan Riley who he loved and adored so much.

The honorable Judge Bobby Contreras is preceded in death by his father and mother, Erasmo and Agustina Contreras; his sister, Irma Nora Contreras Gil; brother, Erasmo Contreras Jr.; and his brother-in-law, James Monroe “Jimmy” Deaton.

Judge Contreras is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann (Deaton) Contreras; a son, Robert Jeffery (Liza) Contreras of San Juan, a daughter, Heather Ann Contreras of Pharr; brother Carlos “Charlie” Contreras of San Juan, TX; and his three grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Taylor Ann, Samantha Ann, and Nathan Riley; and numerous aunts, uncles, his sister in law, Mary Leonora Deaton, his cousins, nieces and nephews who he loved and adored.

Serving as pallbearers are: Nathan Riley Pena, Eddie Contreras, Chase Deaton, Martin Drewry, Randy Foster, Norman Cordova, Roel Coronado, and Balde Guerrero.

Honorary pallbearers include Mario Ayala, Art Jimenez, Eloy Garcia Sr., John Phillips, Anthony Contreras, Former Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, Mayor Javier Villalobos, Ramiro Avendano, Gilberto “Chato” Alaniz, Gilbert Muzquiz Sr., Frank Villarreal, Israel “Winnie” Gonzalez, Alfonso Cardenas, Refugio “Kookie” Yzaguirre, Joe Pedraza, Harvey Gagne, Ricardo Sanchez, Norman Cordova Sr., +Rolando Garcia, and +Lupe Salinas.

Visitation with family will begin at 5 p.m., with a 6:30 p.m. rosary Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Memorial Funeral Home, 311 E. Interstate 2, San Juan. Funeral Mass will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in San Juan. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. 

The family would like to give special thanks to Amavi Hospice Care, Laura Cortez and her amazing staff, Dr. Nurul Wahid, M.D. from Texas Oncology & Dr. John Araujo, MD, PhD from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, Deacon Edward Reyna and Father Manuel Razo from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Judge Jaime “Jerry” Munoz, Judge Jason Pena, Judge Andre Maldonado, Judge Richard Cortez, Judge JJ Pena, Judge Andrew Gonzalez, and Judge Ramon Segovia, Precinct 2 County Commissioner Eddie Cantu and staff, Judge Contreras’s amazing office staff: Adasa Trevino, Melissa De La Cruz, San Juanita Arjona, Sylvia Rodriguez, Dorita Espinoza, Angelica Bocanegra Palomo and Yadira Garza, Mr. Dennis Ramirez, Dr. William Long Elementary Administrators, counselors, teachers & staff, PSJA Memorial ECHS Administration, teachers and staff, PSJA ISD Staff, Bit-O-Heaven RV & Mobile Home Park Staff, Mr. Gregg Wendorf from The Advance News Journal, The PSJA Bear Class of 1968, and to all the countless friends, family, and community members for all your love, support and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the PSJA Education Foundation https://www.psjaedfoundation.org or MD Anderson Cancer Center https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.