Ramon A. Villafranca Sr.

On November 17, 2012, Ramon A. Villafranca, Sr., age 73, passed away at Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin, Texas. Mr. Villafranca was surrounded by his family as he passed peacefully into the hands of our Lord. Born September 13, 1939, in Laredo, Texas to Luis Villafranca and Matilde Gutierrez Villafranca, Mr. Villafranca was a graduate of Martin High School, and attended North Texas State University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. Graduating from High School in 1957 at the age of 17, Mr. Villafranca needed a parental waiver to join the United States Air Force which was granted by his mother. After attaining the rank of sergeant in the Air Force, and finishing his undergraduate work, Mr. Villafranca married Yolanda Perez Villafranca on June 8, 1968. They were married for 44 years. Ramon Villafranca, Sr., lived in Laredo, and began as a band director for the fledgling United Independent School District. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Education, Mr. Villafranca became an administrator for U.I.S.D., and at one time was principal of Nye Elementary. Mr. Villafranca then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate and returned to Laredo to start his legal career. Being retired for almost eight years, Mr. Villafranca continued to manage and lead the family’s law practice. Mr. Villafranca was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, and was a Minister of the Eucharist. He will be remembered most for his love for his family and friends, and for his favorite passions of music, reading, politics, and college football. Survivors include his loving wife Yolanda Perez Villafranca; his children, Raquel Christina Villafranca Schwartz (Charles), Ramon A. Villafranca, Jr., Victor L. Villafranca, and Mario A. Villafranca (Michael) of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his three beautiful grandchildren, Ramon A. Villafranca, III. (Trey), Anyssa Marie Villafranca, and Alejandro Javier Villafranca. His surviving family includes his sisters Matilde Germaine (Dick), Berta Rodriguez (Roberto†), Beatriz Gee (Ralph) and Irma Pena (Ernesto†) and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and other loving family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Baby Ramon; and his sisters, Raquel Skinner and Valentina Villafranca. A rosary will be recited on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2012at 10:00 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Services will conclude at the Church. The family would appreciate donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Many thanks to the staff at Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin, Texas who made his passing as comfortable and loving as possible. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction at Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.