Enrique Castañeda Jr.

Enrique Castañeda  Jr., 94, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020, in Laredo, Texas. Enrique Jr was born on May 1, 1925 in Laredo, Texas to Enrique and Maria Castaneda. He was raised and lived his entire life in Laredo. In his early years he attended local schools and graduated with his associated degree from Laredo Junior College. In 1943 he served in the US Army during World War II and was deployed to areas such as Tokyo, New Guinea, Philippines, and Yokohama receiving serval accolades while serving. After serving in the Army, Mr. Castaneda met the love of his life Belia Arredondo and married her in a beautiful ceremony on December 26, 1949. He become a father to  Grace, Kike & Eddie and devoted his days working several jobs to provide for his family. In 1974 he joined US Customs working diligently for 16 years before retiring in 1990, he was given the nickname “Mr. Overtime” by his co-workers. Over the years his reputation proceeded him as one of the hardest working men. During his free time Mr. Castaneda enjoyed playing golf, hunting and fishing. He was an avid fan of his Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. Mr. Castaneda was a devote Catholic and strong leader. He was known as a man of few words but when he spoke people would listen. He was a role model to many and a man that left a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Until his last breath he was viewed as one of the strongest men who would always put his family first. He loved his family and was surrounded by the ones that loved him when he passed. Mr. Castañeda is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Belia Arredondo Castañeda; his parents, Enrique and Maria Castañeda; siblings Pedro Castañeda, Ramon Castañeda and Lupita Santos. He is survived by his children, Grace  (Jose Luis) Gamez, Enrique “Kike” (Deedee) Castañeda III, and Eduardo “Eddie” (Sandra) Castañeda; grandchildren, Joey (Becky) Gamez, Cristina Adriana Gamez, Enrique Castañeda IV, Monica (Michael) Zamora, Jorge (Ashley) Castañeda, Robert Castañeda, Cassandra Castañeda, Eduardo Castañeda Jr., Ted Martinez, and Monique Martinez; great-grandchildren, Joey Gamez Jr., Paul Gamez, Aiden Zamora, Alexa Zamora, Jena Castañeda, Jaxon Castañeda, Sidney Martinez, Ryan Martinez, Mario Perez, and Isabella Enriquez; and his sister, Estela (+Ramiro) Lopez. Mr. Castañeda is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.A rosary will be recited on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to Blessed Sacrament Church. A mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m.Interment will follow to the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to thank Gloria Gonzalez for her great and loving care in the final years of his life. “Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy” 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.