Vincent Huizar, a Mission San Jose tour guide linked to the Rose Window’s architect, has died at 74.
SAN ANTONIO — A Mission San Jose tour guide and caretaker who was also a descendant of the architect of the historic Rose Window has passed away, his family confirmed to KENS 5. Vincent Huizar was 74.
KENS 5’s Alicia Neaves interviewed Huizar in September and learned about his family’s legacy at the San Antonio Historic Missions National Park.
Huizar recounted stories from his mother when she told him his family was part of the Missions and a window there. He spent years researching the tales and found that he was a descendant of Don Pedro Huizar, who is believed to have designed the elaborate Rose Window of Mission San Jose.
The city’s World Heritage Office said in a statement that staff were “deeply saddened” at news of Huizar’s passing, calling him a “proud Mission descendant, respected contributor to the World Heritage Center, and passionate participant in the many activities and events hosted by our office.”
“His passion for researching, preserving, and sharing his family’s story greatly enriched our lives and the legacy of the historic San Antonio Missions and the surrounding community,” Colleen Swain, director of the office, said in the statement. “His presence will be profoundly missed.”
Huizar continued to volunteer as a tour guide at Mission San Jose until very recently. He told KENS 5 the work made him feel connected to his family history.
“It made me feel like I belonged here,” he said. “Don’t wait for anybody to tell your story. You need to tell your own story.”
Daughter: ‘We have to keep his legacy alive’
Huizar’s daughter, Victoria Soto, said her father dedicated decades to researching and documenting the Huizar lineage — work she now intends to carry forward.
“He made it his mission to share as much as he could,” she said. “He didn’t want this history to die with him. It’s very important that we keep his legacy alive for the next generations.”
She described him as an artist in his own right — a sculptor, painter, carpenter and historian whose talents reflected the ancestry he cherished.
“Those skills passed down,” she said. “My father lived that life as well.”
Some of his carvings and artwork are displayed at the San Antonio World Heritage Center. Soto said Huizar is also featured in an educational video shown to visitors about Mission descendants.
His artistic influence reaches across the city. Huizar helped contribute to a mural depicting Don Pedro Huizar beneath a local highway — a piece created using combined images of family members to reconstruct Pedro’s likeness.
Most recently, he worked closely with artists designing “Kindred,” a new sculpture of two joined hands surrounded by imagery honoring Native and Mission heritage. The piece — set to be dedicated Friday — was inspired directly by Vincent.
“Those are his hands,” Soto said. “His touches are all over San Antonio.”
She visited the installation site Thursday, watching crews assemble the piece.
“It’s surreal it’s happening after he passed,” she said. “He worked so hard on this. As the next generation, I’m here to continue that legacy.”
Beyond his public work, Soto said her father was deeply devoted to the people he loved.
“He was a beloved grandfather, father, brother, uncle,” she said. “He put family first. He was present for everything — births, baptisms, graduations, birthdays.”
The National Park said he also recently spoke at the San Antonio World Heritage Center’s Legacy Keepers Series.
Visitors to the Mission San Jose said at the time Vincent’s unique perspective made the trip special.
“To also be able to come here and hear the story from someone from the family — it’s so exciting,” said visitor Melissa Tarun. “I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been living in San Antonio on and off since I was 16 and I didn’t visit the Missions until this year. I am a sucker for a romantic story.”
The Rose Window was sculpted in 1775 after Pedro Huizar, who was born in Mexico, apprenticed under skilled sculptor in Spain and traveled back to the Americas. The design has a strong Spanish Baroque influence and is considered the finest example of Spanish colonial ornamentation in the United States. It is also beloved by visitors and one of Texas’s most photographed treasures, second only to the Alamo.
Funeral Services for Vincent Huizar
Friday, Nov. 24 — Mission Park Funeral Chapels South (1700 SE Military Dr.)
• Visitation: 5:00–8:00 p.m.
• Rosary: 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 25 — Mission San José Catholic Church (701 E. Pyron)
• Mass: 10:00 a.m.