John Paul Basquez was called to the Lord on Oct. 31, 2020. He was born in San Angelo on March 4, 1970. After graduating from San Angelo Central High School in 1989, John attended Angelo State University where he focused his studies in the graphic arts. His daughter, Kyrstan, recalled tagging along with her father to art classes.

With a growing family, John left school and focused on providing for his kids. He worked at Levi Strauss in San Angelo, then eventually found fulfillment as a graphic designer at the San Angelo Standard-Times. John had an infectious, easy-going personality and found success in advertising sales as well, where he sold and produced advertising campaigns at a local television station, before expanding his talents in the graphic arts at Clemens-Weaver Advertising. 

John joined the team at San Angelo LIVE!, an upstart local news publishing company in 2007, where his talents as an artist were expanded to include digital media. John’s keen sense of the online audience in local news transformed how breaking news is reported today in the Concho Valley, as San Angelo LIVE! catapulted to the most-read news source in the region under John’s leadership.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jimmy and Norma Basquez. He is survived by his three daughters, Kyrstan McNeal, Evie Cole, and Kelsey Basquez; a granddaughter, Mia McNeal; two sisters, Audra James and family, Kay Manera and family; and a brother, Jimmy Basquez and family. 

The family thanks the doctors, medical professionals, and first responders who helped John during this difficult time. We appreciate Johnson’s Funeral Home for caring for John with dignity and respect, and all the friends, coworkers, and family who loved John. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial celebration of John's life will take place Saturday, Nov 7, 2020, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at The Concho Pearl, 1605 S Chadbourne St., in San Angelo. Dress is casual.