SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Thousands gathered at a San Antonio coliseum to mourn Grammy-winning Tejano star Emilio Navaira (nah-VY'-rah) the day before his funeral service was set to be held.
A visitation and rosary was held Sunday at the Freeman Coliseum for Navaira, whose fans knew him as Emilio. A funeral is set for Monday afternoon at a downtown cathedral, followed by his burial.
On Sunday, the coliseum's concourse was ringed with stands of collages and pictures of Navaira. The casket was surrounded by bouquets and flanked by screens playing videos of his past performances. His brother spoke of how Emilio learned to play on a guitar their father bought at a pawn shop.
Navaira was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive at his New Braunfels home on May 16. He was 53.