Gabriel Castañeda, age 61, of Huntsville, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Gabriel was born August 15,1959 in La Estancia, Zacatecas, Mexico to the late Salvador Castañeda and Martha Castañeda De Esparza. Beside his parents, he is also preceded in death by sister, Theresa Castañeda, brother Salvador Castañeda, nephew Jacob Daniel Castañeda and beloved pet Tiny Castañeda. Gabriel grew up in Blue Island, IL. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelors in Spanish and Mathematics. He joined the United States Army in February of 1985, married and moved to Nuremberg, Germany in 1987. Gabriel fought in the 1st Desert Storm in 1990. After Desert Storm they moved to Colorado Springs in 1994 and continued his work as a Calibrator. In 1999 he moved to Huntsville, Al and transitioned to a calibrator instructor. Gabriel retired from the Army on March 1, 2005 as an E6. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in May of 2010. After graduating, he became a Physicist for the U.S. Government. Gabriel was proud to run in the Cotton Row Run for 3 years. The 1st & 2nd year, he ran after his leg amputation, the 3rd year he ran was after 3 heart attacks and 1 open heart double bypass surgery, and 1 open heart triple bypass surgery with valve replacement.
Gabriel is survived by his loving wife Aurora Castañeda, loving children; Isabel Castañeda, Velia Castañeda and Adrian Gabriel Castañeda. Grandson Liam Joel Pabellon. Son-N-Law Josue Joel Pabellon, and dear pet Ava Castañeda.
Visitation for Gabriel will be held Friday, February 26, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life Service with Military Honors will be Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home Chapel. Gabriel will be laid to Rest at Valhalla Memory Gardens. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Castaneda family. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans Huntsville #26 in the name of Gabriel Castañeda.
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