Jorge Ignacio Rios

Jorge was born on April 3, 1940, in Copacobana, Colombia. He spent his formative years in Medellín, Colombia before immigrating to the United States as a young adult. There, he served four years with honor as a United States Marine in Vietnam. Following his service, he attended and graduated from Milwaukee Institute of Technology and had a successful career throughout the early decades of IT.

On a visit home to Medellín in 1969, Jorge met and married Ligia (Lee) Betancourt. They eventually settled in the Houston, Texas area and raised their family with the principles of unconditional love, hard work, consideration of others, and a strictly set thermostat. For 56 years, they set the gold standard in marital devotion, service, and humor through all of life’s challenges and abundant blessings.

Everything Jorge touched, he left with pride and peace - from the cabin built by his own hands, to the trails of Pikes Peak, the ministries he delighted in at Christ the Good Shepherd, and countless Scrabble and puzzle boards. He never shied away from a good story, an engineering challenge, a dance floor, a worthy joke, or an opportunity to pray for anyone in need.

Of all of his accomplishments, Jorge took the greatest pride in his family. He loved his children, nieces, nephews, and all of their created families with intention and admiration. He adored his grandchildren and delighted in every opportunity to spend time with them. There is no doubt that their husband, dad, and Grampy/Beppi/Beppy/Tío, is now dancing with the angels and saints, watching over from above.

Jorge is preceded in death by his parents, brother, sister, and his nephew. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ligia; his daughter, Victoria Rios and husband Wayne Young; his son, Mauricio Rios and wife Heather; his daughter, Lina Rios Flake and husband Matt; and his daughter, Monica Rios Howeth and husband Matt. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Lucas Rios, Henry Flake, George Flake, Harrison Howeth, and Carolina Howeth, along with his niece, Gloria Restrepo, nephew, Jorge Mario Restrepo, and their families.

Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass in celebration of his life at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road, Austin, Texas. The Rite of Committal (burial/interment) will immediately follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Road, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jorge’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that he and his wife have supported for many years.