Obituary of Roman B. Tijerina

Roman B. Tijerina, a resident of Haines City, FL, passed away on November 19, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family. Born on September 18, 1931, in Edna, TX, to Jose Tijerina and Josefina Ballin.

He was a proud veteran of the US Army, who served during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953, achieving the rank of Sergeant and earning several decorations, including the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his military service, Roman devoted 40 years to the citrus industry, showcasing a strong work ethic.

As a member of St. Anna Catholic Church in Haines City, FL, Roman found comfort in his faith. He took pleasure in reading the Bible and exploring books about the Korean War, demonstrating a sustained interest in his military experiences.

Known for his sense of humor, Roman was a genuine comedian, consistently in good spirits and never a stranger to those around him. Beyond his cheerful demeanor, he was a compassionate individual who offered help to others in various ways, including financial support. Roman advocated for migrants, served as a personal secretary, and utilized his language skills as a translator, embodying a commitment to positively impacting the lives of those he encountered.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Josefina; and his beloved wife, Adela G. Tijerina who passed October 7, 2023. Roman leaves behind to cherish his memory his sons, Enrique Tijerina and wife, Sandy of Bartow, FL and Ricardo Tijerina of Miami, FL; daughters, Yolanda Lopez of Haines City, FL, Marina Barerra and husband, Thomas of Rockdale, TX, Josefina Truett of Haines City, FL and Patricia Fluty and husband, Roger of Davenport, FL; brother, Reynaldo Tijerina of Dallas, TX; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren’ and two great great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 9:00 am at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City, FL. A funeral mass will follow at 10:00 am at St. Ann Catholic Church in Haines City, FL. Final resting place will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Haines City, FL.