Edward Hays Stites

Edward was born to Olive Thelma Hays and Leslie Bryan Stites in 1930 during the Great Depression, and on the San Roman ranch in South Texas. He grew up and worked on the San Roman, and also worked on the Callaghan ranch in South Texas. Edward spent much of his teen and young adult years on horseback doing what he loved: working as a cowpuncher. Somewhere along the way, Edward learned fluent Spanish, gained the nickname “Güero”, taught himself to play an acoustic guitar, learned and composed a hundred or more Mexican songs of the ranchera and corrido genres, left the ranch to attend two years of college, and then served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. In 1959, Edward met, fell madly in love with, and married Celia Robles. They eventually moved to San Antonio, TX. Edward worked about fifty years in construction and retired as a superintendent. Edward and Celia raised five children in an environment of love, faith, selfless giving, and humility. These children also learned from Edward that all work is honorable, and that dedication and highest quality results are of great value.

Celia preceded Edward to her eternal rest in 2002. Edward is survived by his and Celia’s five children, Dalia, Eduardo, Robert, David, and Salvador, their loving spouses, and a great number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And in a real way, Edward is survived by a multitude of relatives, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and former coworkers who can attest to much of what is described herein.

We, Edward’s children, already deeply miss his physical presence, and will always miss our Dad. However, we will not miss Dad and Mom’s pure love because we hold it within our hearts, minds, and souls, and endeavor to pass it on to others. We are grateful to our Lord that His grace made Edward and Celia our parents