Alex Arizpe Jr.

The son of Herlinda Martinez and Alex Arizpe Sr., Alex Arizpe Jr. entered this world on the 13th of March 1953 and left on the same day, 71 years later on Wednesday, the 13th of March 2024. Alex’s gregarious energy and charismatic personality were infectious, and he was always the life of the party. Following his big heart wherever it led him, Alex was true to himself and danced to the beat of his own drum.

A lifetime resident of Houston, Alex, affectionately known as Junior to his family, grew up surrounded by loving parents, grandparents, and cousins. In his youth, he enjoyed working in his father’s television shop and helping his grandfather with his produce business, where he personally delivered produce to mamma Ninfa herself. He attended Stephen F. Austin High School where he excelled in football and enjoyed his time as a member of FFA, raising a steer of his own known as Big Al. He had fond memories of working at Astroworld, both as driver of the double decker bus and manager of El Chico restaurant.

Filled by his free spirit, he had a zest for life, and loved to pull people into his adventures, whether through dancing, surfing, biking, running, camping, riding the river, or skiing. Alex ran in the Houston Marathon four times and participated in many bike races, including the MS 150 and Hotter Than Hell Hundred.

Alex proudly served Houston as a Firefighter for 24 years. The camaraderie and bonds he formed with the men who worked alongside him at Station 61 were cherished and lasted a lifetime. With a kind and compassionate heart, he gave selflessly to those in need, and considered himself a civil servant throughout his life.

Aside from his career in the Fire Department, Alex was known for his work in the dance and theatre communities. His passion for dance began at a young age when he was exposed to his mother’s love of music and movement. While he never had classical dance training, his love of dance and drive to learn sent him down an untraditional path. Movie musicals and TV programs like Soul Train were his teachers, the disco clubs were his classroom, and the dance floor was where he felt most alive. Through the power of observation and a knack for imitation, Alex evolved into a self-trained street dancer with impressive improvisational talents, an innate ability to express himself through movement, and his own unique style. Music spoke to his soul, and choreography became a vehicle for storytelling, allowing him to teach, share, and connect people with his passion. This led to the formation of his first dance company, The Love Train Dancers of Houston.

In the 1980s, he met his future wife, Victoria, when his company was asked to perform at the Houston Festival alongside the Delia Stewart Dance Company. He joined the company and soon Alex and Victoria became dance partners. Combining his own street flavor into her classical styles of movement, they went on to dance and choreograph together for the rest of his life.

Alex always wanted his choreography to be crowd pleasing, high energy and full of soul, with crazy lifts and theatrical flair. If Alex could get a compliment from the person least likely to enjoy dance, he felt he had done his job.

Alex and Victoria were married in 1992 and had two children, Austin and Alyssa. Nothing was more important to him than his family. He was a great role model, taught his children to lead with love and compassion, and find humor and joy in unexpected places.

During his artistic career, Alex was a member of the Freakazoids, Delia Stewart Dance Company, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, performed in musicals at Theatre Under The Stars, and won countless contests for Country & Western, Jitterbug, and Disco. He and Victoria went on to form the Uptown Street Dance Company, and performed for Dance Houston, Choreographer’s X 6, the Super Bowl Commissioners Party, Nike, Ski Do, Verizon Wireless, and numerous corporate events around Houston. They taught at the Festival Internacional Danza for YAGP in Mexico, choreographed for the Houston Oiler’s Dance Team, the MGM film, Rush, and were commissioned by Ben Stevenson OBE to create a swing dance ballet for Texas Ballet Theater.

Additionally, Alex was proud to be on the faculty at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, TUTS Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre, and Houston Ballet Academy. At HBA, he taught social dance, and was beloved by the students because he gave them permission to break all the “rules”, and allowed them to let loose and express in a different way.

Alex’s love of performing and creating extended into the realm of musical theatre. He taught and directed at HITS, and treasured his time teaching Middle School theatre at St. John’s School, where he directed plays and musical theatre productions for 7 years. He also taught in the educational outreach programs for TUTS and Houston Ballet Academy, traveling to countless underserved schools and Shriner’s Hospital.

Mr. A will be remembered for his heart, humor, and his love for humanity. Always the champion for the underdog, he helped many people recognize their untapped potential and gave them permission to discover things they could not always see in themselves. He always believed, “You can’t become who you need to be by remaining who you are”.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Blanca, and his nephew, Jesse. He is survived by his loving family, Victoria, Austin, and Alyssa, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family wishes to thank The Village of Meyerland, The Amazing Place, and CarePartners for the compassionate care they provided to Alex and his family through his journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 21st of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Alex’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in his honor may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 S. Loop E, Houston, TX 77087.