A MEMORY OF BROWNSVILLE NATIVE KRIS KRISTOFFERSON DEAD AT 88

 

(Kris Kristofferson, who attained success as both a groundbreaking country music singer-songwriter and a Hollywood film and TV star, died Saturday at home in Maui, Hawaii. No cause of death was given, but he was described as passing away peacefully while surrounded by family. He was 88.

(Shown in the photo at right is the family of Henry C. Kristofferson, former residents of Brownsville.  The picture was made here during Col. Kristofferson’s service during the war.  Left to right:  Kris, Col. Kristofferson, Karen, Mrs. (Mary Ann?) Kristofferson and Kraighver.)

Said his family in a statement, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.” The statement was offered on behalf of Kristofferson’s wife, Lisa; his eight children, Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly and Blake; and his seven grandchildren.

Kristofferson, who was born in Brownsville, penned such No. 1 country hits as “For the Good Times” (Ray Price, 1970), “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (Johnny Cash, 1970) and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (Sammi Smith, 1971). His song “Me and Bobby McGee” became a posthumous No. 1 pop hit for his former paramour Janis Joplin in 1971. He maintained a lifelong relationship with his Mexican nana Juanita who lived in Brownsville and some years ago, I came across one of his autographed publicity photos at a local Mexican restaurant. The last time I checked – and after she died – the restaurant ownership changed hands and the picture no longer adorns the wall. I wrote this story then. RIP Kris.)

By Juan Montoya

I had a yen for a small bowl of menudo today and as I had just dropped off my son for his summer job, I saw a sign for an El Charrito Restaurant off Central Boulevard and Jefferson where the old Lopez Supermarket used to be.

I sauntered in and sat while the two ladies waited on some diners. The place has a Mexican movie decor with black and white photos of the likes of Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Maria Felix, male and female revolutionaries, even Vicente Fernandez astride a fine horse.

And then, there, just off to the side of the altar with the votary candles and aloe vera sprigs, I saw a photograph of a smiling man that looked somewhat out of place in the clutter. I thought I recognized the grin and longish hair and I walked over to the southern wall. 

It was him. It was an autographed studio black and white photo of Kris Kristofferson, one of the few Brownsville residents who went off to the Big Lights and actually made it.

You know, the guy who wrote hits like "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Morning Coming Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night."

 What would his picture be doing on the wall of El Charrito Restaurant?

I asked one of the ladies if I could take a picture of it and she said to go ahead. The lighting was bad and I was slightly off focus but I took it anyway. The message that Kristofferson had scribbled on the photo read: "Thanks El Charrito, for taking care of my mom, Juanita, Peace, Kris."

The woman asked me why I wanted to take the picture and if I knew the man on it. I explained to her that he was a movie star composer and singer who had been born in Brownsville. She, of course, didn't know who he was but said that his mother (Juanita) came to eat there often and that out of appreciation and gratitude to the waiter help and the owner (one Walter Morton?), he had given them his autographed picture.

Juanita began working for the Kristofferson family when she was around 13 years old, and helped raise Kristofferson and his siblings while their parents were often away. Kristofferson described Juanita as "like a second mother".

In 2016, Kristofferson visited Juanita while in Texas for Willie Nelson's Fourth of July picnic. Kristofferson sang for Juanita, and the two shared a special moment.

Juanita married Eleuterio Cantu and had a son. When the Kristofferson family needed help caring for their children while they traveled abroad, Juanita and her husband agreed to let her go to California for a period of time. Juanita died on April 22, 2018 at the age of 94

Like I said, the lighting was bad and I was off focus, but I would be willing to bet the small menudo I had that it has to be one of the few autographed photos by Kristofferson to people in Brownsville.

It is a mark of his humanity that even at Juanita's advanced age and having reached a level of stardom few people attain, he still remembered the criada who had basically raised him while his parents were away during the day at their jobs.

Peace be with him.