Roldan Chavez Jr.

Remembrance “Remember, I am with you always, until the end of time.” Matthew 28:20 Immortality “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you my heart.” Matthew 11 Roldán Chavez, Jr., eldest child of Roldán Chávez, Sr., and Amelia Lopez Chávez, left this earth in search of eternal rest on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, with peace and love for his family in his heart. Always known for his gentle ways, his gentlemanly demeanor and his generous and courteous treatment of people under his watch, Roldán was well liked and highly respected by all who knew him. Roldán’s name was not a very common name indeed, one proudly bestowed upon him by his father and which he just as proudly passed on to his second born child. It was a known namesake of one of the Knights of the Round Table. Roldán is survived by his adoring wife of forty-nine years, Leonor Garza Chávez, whom he fell in love with upon his return from his service in the United States Army. After a short six month courtship, he married the love of his life and made Laredo their home for the vast majority of their married life. He is also survived by his three children, Sandra Laura Chávez, Selina Rebecca Chávez, and Roldán (Meredith) Chávez III. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Robert Braden Sanchez and David Sanders Hance IV; his two sisters, Graciela Chavez (Rafael) Ramirez, and Arabella Chávez Hein; sisters and brothers-in-law, Larry (Irene) Garza, Cristelo (Michelle) Garza, Priscilla Garza Salinas, Mary Lou (Richard) Buitron, Andelia (Glen) Wittke, Patsy Garza Ramirez, Roberto (Aida) Garza and Eulalia Salmón. He is also survived by his ninety-three year old mother-in-law, Mrs. Andelia Garza Lozano, his loving nieces and nephews, and many other close relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law Mr. Guadalupe Garza Lopez; brothers-in-law Mike Garza, Felipe Garza and Jose Garza Flores; his aunts Misses Eva and Amelia Chavez; and his nephew, Fred Gus Hein. Roldán always excelled in his studies at St. Joseph’s Academy, having started his Early Childhood Education at Ursuline Academy and transferring to St. Joseph’s at their earliest level of elementary education in the third grade and remaining there until graduation in 1954. He maintained high scholastic honors as the third ranking senior. He was a formidable member of the school’s varsity football and basketball teams through his four years of high school. Shortly after high school, Roldán enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Georgia. He was later assigned to Frankfort, Germany. While there, he was affectionately nicknamed “Chico” by his fellow comrades, for he was one of the few Hispanics in his company. While in Germany, he played softball and was well known for his love of all sports. Roldán returned to the United States in January, 1962. Upon discharge from the Army, his photographic mind and mathematical prowess would lead him into the business world. He found employment with Sherwin Williams, Texas Harvest Hat Company and International Bonded Warehouses (IBW), and was given major accounting and financial responsibilities in all three. At IBW, where he had the distinction of being their very first employee, he worked his way up to Vice President of the company. When IBW was sold and was renamed UETA, he became their general manager, a position he held until his retirement in December, 2001. His employment with IBW took him to San Antonio for a few years but he remained a Laredoan deep down in his heart and returned to Laredo a few years prior to his retirement. His favorite past-times were golfing and attending his grandson’s Little League games. Roldán was mostly known as an earnest, hardworking man, totally devoted to his family. To this day, his children will remember him cooking in the kitchen on Sundays, relaxing in the backyard and planning their menus for the week. He will always be “Dad” to them and “Pop” to his grandchildren. A rosary will be recited on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in 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 Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to St. Patrick Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Services will conclude at the church. Pallbearers will be David Sanders Hance IV, Robert Braden Sanchez, Roldán Chávez III, Larry Garza, Roberto Garza, Cristelo Garza, Richard J. Buitron Jr., James B. Lindsey, Ramon Delgado and Gus Fred Hein. Honorary Pallbearers will be Eduardo Herrera, Felipe Arroyo, Rafael Ramirez Jr., and Alfredo E. Cervera Jr. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Sacred Heart of Mary Children’s Home. Roldán’s upbringing and deeply rooted faith instilled by his parents who belonged and worked diligently for decades at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church played a key role in his peaceful death and total surrender to the Lord. “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 We will love you and miss you all the days of our lives, Your wife and entire family 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 of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.