Emilio C Zuniga, Jr.

Emilio C. Zuniga Jr., lovingly known throughout the community as “Coach Zuniga,” went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Emilio, 55, of San Benito, Texas, was born on October 13, 1970, in Brownsville, Texas, to Emilio Zuniga and San Juana Zuniga. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, perseverance, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others, especially the countless young people he coached and mentored throughout his life.

Emilio grew up in a hardworking migrant family that instilled in him a strong work ethic, humility, perseverance, and deep gratitude. These values remained at the center of his life and guided the way he lived, loved, worked, and served others. Coach Zuniga was a gifted athlete and an even greater mentor. During his years at San Benito High School, he played baseball as a pitcher for the San Benito Greyhounds and was a member of the San Benito High School FFA. His love of sports eventually became one of his greatest ministries. For 26 years, Coach Zuniga proudly served the students and families of Treasure Hills Elementary as a Physical Education paraprofessional. He dedicated decades to education, athletics, and coaching, including many years with the Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen. Throughout his coaching career, he coached both boys’ and girls’ basketball and had the honor of leading the 1997 Crushers to an undefeated 15–0 season. He also coached AAU girls’ basketball and spent many years coaching and developing his own children.

Even after retirement, Coach Zuniga continued serving young people. He volunteered to coach his daughter’s girls’ basketball team and coached Team Elite alongside Coach Alex Rocha. For Emilio, coaching was about far more than winning games. He believed every child deserved an opportunity to play sports, belong to a team, and have someone believe in them. He used his athletic knowledge to train, encourage, mentor, and guide children in many different sports. To the countless young athletes whose lives he touched, he was more than a coach. He was someone who believed in them, encouraged them, and reminded them that they were capable of more.

A man of deep and unwavering faith, Emilio loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was never ashamed to share God’s Word with anyone willing to listen. His kindness, generosity, compassion, and love for others were rooted in his faith. He did not simply speak about his faith; he lived it through the way he treated people and served his family and community. Above all else, Emilio loved God and his family. He was a devoted husband, loving father, loyal friend, mentor, and coach to many. He never met a stranger and had a kind heart for everyone he encountered. He found great joy in the lives and accomplishments of his children and was always there for his family. He was also an avid sports fan, and his love of athletics became a special bond he shared with those closest to him.

Coach Zuniga is survived by his beloved wife of 14 years, Amanda Marie Dominguez Zuniga; his sons, Peter Zuniga and Emilio “EJ” Zuniga; and his daughter, Emily Zuniga. He is also survived by his brothers, Guadalupe (Fina) and Miguel (Paula); and his sisters, Guillermina (Lupe), Hermenejilda (Harvey), Norma, and Rafaela (Gumaro), along with many extended family members, friends, former students, athletes, and fellow coaches whose lives were forever changed by knowing him. Coach Zuniga was preceded in death by his parents, Emilio and San Juana Zuniga, and his sister, Yolanda Quintero.

Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Emilio’s remarkable life. Visitation and viewing will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A service will follow from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will continue on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. with visitation at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, followed by the cemetery procession to Mont Meta, located at 26170 State Highway 345, San Benito, Texas 78586.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Lupe Zuniga, Jr., Peter Zuniga, Frank Cañas, Hector Solis, Bryan Rios, Julian Pelaez, and Carlos Vigil. Honorary pallbearers will be Emilio Zuniga “EJ” & Emily Zuniga.

In keeping with Emilio’s wishes and his lifelong passion for helping children, the family respectfully requests sports equipment in lieu of flowers. Those wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to donate new sports equipment such as basketballs, footballs, baseballs, and other athletic equipment to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen. Donations will be accepted during the visitation and funeral services and will be given in Coach Zuniga’s memory so that his passion for helping young athletes may continue. It is a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life believing that every child deserved a chance to play.

Emilio C. Zuniga Jr., “Coach Zuniga,” will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in his family, his students, his athletes, his community, and every life he touched. He will forever be remembered for the lives he shaped, the faith he lived, the children he believed in, and the love he so freely shared.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7

To sign the online guest book visit: www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com.