Alvaro Vela, 82, native of Zapata, Texas, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022 at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, after a valiant battle with Covid-19 pneumonia.  Alvaro was a lifelong and well-known resident of Zapata, before having moved to San Antonio to be closer to his children and grandchildren in recent years.

A beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend to many, Alvaro was born in Zapata on October 31, 1939.  He graduated from Zapata High School and attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas (now Texas A&M Kingsville) on a track scholarship, where he received his B.S. in Kinesiology and Physiology.  During his years at A&I, Alvaro also served honorably in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio as a medic during the Vietnam era.

Alvaro returned to Zapata, where he met and married the love of his life, Doris Vela. He began a prominent career as a Zapata High School biology teacher and coach, for which he is still fondly remembered as 'Coach Vela' by many of his former students.  His favorite sport was basketball, and his favorite year was the 1966-67 season, when the Zapata Hawks boys' basketball team advanced to the Texas UIL 1A state semi-finals.

After receiving a M.S. degree from Antioch University in 1969, Alvaro dedicated himself to teaching.  He was an educator at his core, and believed any dream could be attained and any obstacle overcome with the relentless pursuit of knowledge - a trait he firmly instilled in his children.  He loved life, which he lived to the fullest, never met a stranger and always fought for the underdog.  An avid golfer, rancher, joker, scotch drinker, gambler, history buff and staunch Democrat, Alvaro had many passions throughout his life, but his greatest love was, first and foremost, his family.

As a lifelong student and advocate of science, Alvaro believed strongly in modern medicine.  While this devastating illness did not spare him, he never questioned the science behind it, and his children proudly stand with his fact-based convictions.  We would like to thank the ICU doctors, nurses and entire healthcare team at University Hospital for the sustained, personalized care of our father.

Alvaro is preceded in death by his wife, Doralisa Benavides Vela, parents Carmen Garcia Vela and Adrian Vela, brother Corando Vela and sister Celinda Vela Guzmán.  He is survived by his children, daughter Marissa Vela (Servando) Pérez from Austin, son Alvaro Adrian (Judi) Vela from Corpus Christi, daughter Dina Vela (Adolfo) Cuéllar from San Antonio, partner Mary Saenz from McAllen, and sisters Enriqueta Vela (Pablo +) Briceño and Imelda Vela (Joe) Coronado.  He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Jaqueline Vela (Zachary) Roussel, Roberto Vela, Adriana Pérez, Alejandro Pérez, Andrés Vela and Olivia Cuéllar, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, colleagues, and former students who played important roles in his life.

A private family visitation and rosary service will be held. The public is invited to attend the mass service on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, followed by the committal service at Zapata County Cemetery. The Vela family kindly requests protective masks (provided) be worn during indoor portions of the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.