Victor Allen Menard

Born in San Antonio, Texas on September 29, 1938, to Elfreida Emma Mayer Menard and Felix Maurice Menard, Vic lived an exceptional life defined by love for his beloved wife, Mary Lee Spencer Menard, their children and family, his distinguished service in the United States Navy, and a legacy of dedication to young and aging populations as well as community leadership through private and public organizations and agencies.

Enlisting in the United States Navy in 1955, Vic’s service to his country spanned 22 ½ years at stations including Norfolk, Virginia; Barbers Point, Hawaii; Pensacola, Florida; Keflavik, Iceland; and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. He subsequently served aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard (CVA-31) and USS Midway (CVA-41) during the Vietnam War before returning to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, where he retired in 1977 as Master Chief Petty Officer, Air Traffic Controller. He was repeatedly cited for his outstanding qualities in leadership, performance and loyalty, earning the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, multiple awards for Vietnam service, and other unit and personal commendations.

Beginning with a long career in the military, Vic dedicated his life to service. Known as “Tex” during his early military years, he established lifelong friendships in the Navy and spent much of his life offering leadership and guidance to young, enlisted sailors; Vic and Mary welcomed them into their home for meals, holidays, and other occasions. Following his military retirement, Vic transitioned into real estate as a licensed broker. He later served as Taxpayer Liaison Officer to the Nueces County Appraisal District before concluding his long career. Vic’s community life evolved to include many people through local, state, and national organizations and affiliations in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and Texas. His creativity, vision, and dedication were a catalyst in uniting people in support of youth, elderly, and disabled populations.

Vic’s 23-year tenure as “Coach” in the Corpus Christi Youth Football League was his longest-held service and the one he most cherished. He was a devoted advocate for area youth through his role as a local and state officer with the Boys and Girls Club, his service as Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, with the distinction of the Order of the Arrow, and a guiding force in establishing the Area 2 Texas Special Olympics office and programs. A proficient leader for aging populations, Vic initiated formation of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Community Chapter in Nueces County. He served as State Officer for AARP where he worked tirelessly on vital nursing home reforms and helped establish the Area Agency on Aging of the Coastal Bend.

Enriching the Flour Bluff community where he, Mary, and their children spent many years of their lives together was profoundly important to Vic. He was deeply involved in the Flour Bluff Business Association, working to enhance a community that his and other families and businesses would be proud of and enjoy for generations to come. As a member of the City Parks and Recreation Board, Vic had a special interest in programs and activities at the Ethel Eyerly Community Center and adjacent Flour Bluff Parker Memorial Park. His desire to extend both history and beauty at Parker Park is reflected in the Flour Bluff Family Tree Program he founded in 1993 with the planting of dozens of now mature shade trees which cover the park’s walking track. A memorial bearing his and Mary’s name, along with those of many of their children, stands as a lasting historical tribute to the Family Tree Program.

A dedicated advocate within the Flour Bluff Independent School District (FBISD) and FBISD Board of Trustees, Vic championed an education which would include adaptable, interdisciplinary skills that would bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. Additionally, through his commitment to childhood literacy, Vic’s efforts helped to establish the Janet F. Harte Public Library built on the FBISD school campus, through a unique partnership between the City and FBISD. He also routinely served as an Election Judge and Party Chairman for his voting precinct.

Sir Knight Victor Allen Menard, Knights Templar, Commandery Fifty-Seven Texas, was a devoted member of Corpus Christi Masonic Lodge, No. 189, A.F. & A.M. His widespread association across multiple organizations and affiliations included Shriners International, the City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Board, and Water Shore Advisory Commission; Buccaneer Days Commission, Habitat for Humanity, Sierra Club, Audubon and Southside Kiwanis.

In recognition of his spirit of service, Vic received a letter of recognition from President Bill Clinton in appreciation of his dedicated grassroots efforts and community impact. His devotion and love to his family, country, and community was unwavering, and his legacy will be remembered with pride.

To those who knew him well, Vic achieved his mantra of living as “a sort of splendid torch.”

“I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch, which I have got hold of for the moment; and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

— George Bernard Shaw

Vic was preceded in death by his mother, Elfreida Emma Mayer Menard, father, Felix Maurice Menard, stepmother, Hattie Anna Maria Wolfe Menard, grandmother, Bertha Marie Krueger Mayer, grandfather, Bruno W. Mayer, grandmother, Rosenda Garza Menard, and grandfather, Joseph Victor Marie Menard.

In addition to his wife, Mary, Vic is survived by his six children: Candis "Candy" Gail Jones (Hal), Vicki Lynn Beck (Bill), Mark Allen Menard (Beth), Donna Marie Locke (Jeff), Matthew "Matt" Brian Menard (Marisela), and Janine Suzette Fitzpatrick (Michael); 29 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, and a large extended family including many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with viewing from 1-2 PM, and funeral service from 2-3:30 PM at Cook Walden Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, Texas, 78750. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on a later date during a private service.