SAN ANTONIO -- Family and friends said their final goodbyes to a Tejano legend on Monday afternoon.
Emilio Navaira, 53, was found unresponsive in his New Braunfels home one week ago. The funeral mass was held at San Fernando Cathedral at 1 p.m. on Monday.
Once the Navaira family settled inside, all others followed. By noon, it was standing room only.
The cathedral sits roughly 500, and a group of at least 50 people listened from outside.
"It's a shock. It's a shock. I just performed with him at Billy Bob's two weeks ago on Mothers Day," said Tejano musician Ruben Ramos, also known as "El Gato Negro."
Ramos said that he refused to believe the sudden death of his good friend.
"He gave me a hug and gave me a kiss, and to hear this two weeks later, I said, 'No. Get away,'" Ramos said. "People kept telling me, and I'm like, 'No. Get away.' Then, sure enough, he was gone."
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller held the mass in both English and Spanish.
Beautiful music filled the cathedral, including a tribute to Emilio sung by members of the Tejano family featuring Ramos and Robert Pulido.
"Emilio's sons, they're playing, you know, family. Hey, just keep on going. That's what Emilio wants: to keep on going," fan Gilbert Herrera said.
Before the mass began, KENS 5 caught up with some dedicated fans who shared their favorite memories of the Tejano legend.
"In 1990 is when I first started seeing Emilio when he first got his band Emilio Navaira El Grupo Rio," said Danny Flores Jr., who photographed Emilio at every concert and awards show and showcased a picture he shot of Navaira and a platinum album at the 1992 Tejano Music Awards.
Herrera added that Emilio's dancing was contagious, so much so that the most unlikely dancers moved their hips.
"He does that little smooth touch. I love that. He picks up a lot of people," Herrera said. "When everybody does that, everybody starts doing that. Even my brother does that."
What every story had in common was a mention of Emilio's humbleness.
"He's so nice. He always says hello to the people, never turns down an autograph. And his music just lifts you up," fan Gloria Rivera said.
Fans said that Emilio was simply a down-to-earth kind of guy. His genuine personality inspired fan, Belinda Flores, to play his music to her grandchildren.
"Last night, we heard them all until 2 o'clock in the morning. We sat outside with the grandkids just remembering," Flores said.
Flores Jr. added that Emilio was in the middle of working on new music. Fans hope his final songs will be released soon.
It's believed that Emilio died of a heart attack on May 16 but the Medical Examiner has not issued an official ruling.