David Fuentes

David’s celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 23 at National Cremation Service, 5400 Highway 6 North, Houston, Texas 77084. Visitors are welcomed to join the family beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the service will begin at 2:00 p.m.

David was born to Fred and Sofia (Nunez) Fuentes in Dallas, Texas on February 12, 1928. From an early age, David was a hardworking man. As soon as he could, he started working at a butcher shop to help support his family. At the age of 18, David joined the United States Army and was part of the post-World War II clean-up. David was stationed in Guam and served as a butcher and chef for the troops.

Upon leaving the Army, David returned to Dallas where he continued his work as a butcher. He then began working at an aircraft factory, Chance Vought. With this company, David joined the semi-pro soccer league, sponsored by Chance Vaught, where he traveled across the state and country playing in soccer matches including the National Challenge Cup Competition.

David loved working in restaurants and when the opportunity came to help manage and open more in Houston he moved in the late 1950s. He managed Mexican restaurants across Houston including El Patio, Los Tios, Casa Elena and La Hacienda.

In 1979, David met the love of his life, Beckie Harp from Kansas. On October 2, 1979, they wed in a small private ceremony and began building their life together in Houston. After nearly 30 years in the restaurant industry, David retired in 1990. He and his wife Beckie loved spending time together and fishing in Marble Falls, taking road trips across the country and exploring new areas of Houston after church on Sundays.

David’s hobbies included hunting with his children, boating and fishing with his grandchildren and cooking big family-style Mexican meals. David’s children’s and grandchildren’s successes were among his greatest sources of pride and joy. He cherished time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was a source of unwavering love, support, and great humor to everyone who had the good fortune to know him. He will be forever missed and will continue to inspire his family in their individual and collective endeavors.

He is preceded in death by his father, Fred Fuentes, his mother, Sophia Nunez Fuentes, his son, Robert Fuentes and four of his siblings Sophie Fuentes, Fred Fuentes Jr, Rebecca Fuentes Castillo and Clarence Fuentes.

David is survived by his wife of 39 years, Beckie (Harp) Fuentes; his sister, Norma Fuentes Rivas (Alfred); his children Dean Fuentes (Patti), Marie Fuentes, David V. Fuentes, and Chris Fuentes (Michaelea); his grandchildren Derick Fuentes (Jenny), Raquel Fuentes, David N. Fuentes (fiancé Amber), Danielle Delvige (Will), Orion Fuentes, Sirius Fuentes, Robert Garland (R.G.) Fuentes, Audrey Fuentes, Brianna Fuentes and Ethan Fuentes; his great-grandchildren Destin and Desirae; dear friends, Eddie and June Martinez, sister-in-law Linda Harp Smith (Richard), ex-wife Yvonne Fuentes; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/.