Carlos Alvarado, Sr.

Carlos C. Alvarado 02/09/1938 - 08/17/2007 "Charlie" to friends and associates moved to his room in our Father's home shortly after noon on Friday August 17, 2007. Over the past couple of years Carlos battled a number of serious illnesses, choosing to live each day with courage, humor, and the same zest for life he displayed as a young man. Charlie was a life long San Antonian and touched countless lives in the city. Carlos' father owned commercial vehicles that participated in the excavation and removal of earth and rock, making way for the Tower Life Parking Garage. Some of the limestone that was removed was reported to have been used in structures in and around Olmos Park. Carlos began working at a very tender age, selling vegetables that were harvested from the family farm, and then began driving wreckers for his father at Alvarado Bros. Garage, Inc. "The Shop" at the age of thirteen. While at the helm of the Shop Carlos proposed a competitive towing contract to the City Council. The bid system was approved and Alvarado Bros. won the first award, putting an end to the ambulance chasing chaos. Carlos took a break from the Shop and began a career in law enforcement as the Chief of Security for the City, under City Manager Gerry Henckel. In the early 1970's Carlos chose to spread his wings and applied to the Texas DPS academy and was one of the first Hispanic Troopers, serving his tenure along the Texas border. Carlos eventually returned to the helm of the Shop and added wrecker sales to the mix. When time came for a change, Carlos began working as an independent legal investigator for various criminal defense firms, continuing his passion for law enforcement, eventually joining the Texas State Bar Assoc. Paralegal Division, working on numerous high profile cases. In the early 1990's Carlos added the Knights of Columbus to his ministries, joining Council 7265; quickly rising to 4th degree and Faithful Navigator of Assembly 2764. Carlos continued his ministry with the Knights into his final days. The above are but a few of the highlights of Carlos' life; he was so active in his community, career, and ministries that the accounts would fill a book. Carlos will be missed by each person he touched, especially his survivors: his loving wife Mary Ann Alvarado, sons Carlos, Jr., his wife Anna of Houston, Daniel of San Antonio, daughter and son-in-law Theresa and Edward Cunningham of Dallas, seven granddaughters, one grandson, one great-grandson, nieces, nephews, cousins, uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Yndalecio Alvarado. Visitation will be Monday, August 20th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Porter Loring on McCullough Ave.; 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Drive.

Concelebrates will be Msgr. Frank Kurzaj, Fr. Jimmy D. Drennan, and Fr. Eric Ritter