James Omar Vela

James Omar Vela, 86 passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025. James was born in La Grulla, Texas to Eutiquio Vela Sr. and Hortencia Lira Vela on January 18, 1939. He attended and graduated from Rio Grande City High School and was drafted in the United States Army in 1962. He served for 2 years in Korea.

James is survived by his wife Lilly Renteria Vela (78); their two children, Daniel (60) and Michele (57); three grandchildren, Trevor Vela, Andrew Vela, Kenzie Smith and his great grandchild Cooper Smith. He is also survived by his five siblings Eutiquio Vela Jr., Ricardo Vela, Hortencia Vela Roughly, Juanita Vela Saenz, Leticia Vela De La Cruz

James is preceded in death by Eutiquio Vela Sr. his father, Hortencia Lira Vela his mother, his oldest brother Adalberto Guadalupe Vela and his nephew from Adalberto and Amparo Vela- Kenny Vela.

James was on a furlough when he met Lilly Renteria in Moab, Utah. Lilly was living in Salt Lake with her sister Sara Velasquez and her husband Eddie and their sons Harold and Ronnie. After courting Lilly for a few months, his furlough ended and she promised to wait for him until his return from Korea. Upon his return James and Lilly continued to date until they married on June 13, 1964, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A job and family led James and Lilly to Redwood City, CA where their son and firstborn child Daniel was born on July 29, 1965. Their second born child, a daughter, was born on May 27, 1968. They then moved to Mesquite, Texas where James worked as a pressman in the city of Dallas. He was one of the best pressmen with exemplary honors from his company of Federal Envelope. He worked at this job until his retirement in 2012.

James had a quiet confidence and strength about him. Family would describe him as a devoted father who displayed an unconditional love for his family and took the job of provider and protector seriously. He enjoyed any and all visits with his grandchildren, most especially caring for his special needs grandson Trevor. He was the light of his life and knew he was put on this earth to love and care for him alongside his son and wife. He enjoyed his beloved wife Lilly and the ease with which they approached life. James had a thirst and knowledge for history and truly enjoyed keeping his mind challenged with difficult crossword puzzles. He was a man of order and had a love for the simpler things in life.

A memorial service will take place at Anderson Clayton Gonzalez in Mesquite, Texas, 1-2 pm for private family viewing, followed by his memorial service at 2 pm.