Reynaldo Escobedo

Reynaldo “Ray” Escobedo passed away peacefully on February 4, 2022, in Houston, Texas surrounded by his beloved family. Ray was born in LaPorte, Texas to Samuel and Hortencia Escobedo on June 22, 1942. He was close to his family with 3 brothers and 1 sister and grew up right next to the water at Sylvan Beach and across the street from St. Mary’s Seminary.

Ray enjoyed working with his hands and at a young age helped his father, caretaking at the Seminary and soon began working on car engines. He was passionate about cars and especially enjoyed driving and racing at any opportunity. It was the only thing Ray ever “got into trouble for” growing up!

Immediately after graduating from LaPorte High School in 1960, Ray joined the Army National Guard and served over 7 years in Heavy Weapons Infantry and achieved a Sharpshooter badge. In 1961, Ray’s unit was called into service during Hurricane Carla where they assisted and protected the people in storm-torn areas. He was proud of his and his 3 brothers’ service in our military.

Ray’s dad suggested he go to work at the USPS in 1961, and so from a simple bicycle route, Ray created a career spanning 40 years. It was on his biking mail route he met and fell in love with his soulmate, Nedra. In 1965, at the age of 23, Ray married Nedra and gained 4 sons. In 1968, they adopted a daughter, Becky.

Thankfully, Ray was a patient man. He needed it! Ray was devoted to his wife and family, caring for us all, through it all. To know Ray was to know a faithful man. He was called to lead our family and live by example his beliefs and share them with his life. He was kind and generous and great fun to be around. He was always positive, always independent and determined and had an abiding, unconditional love for others.

Ray retired from the Post Office in 2001, though he worked at Home Depot in Baytown for many years, enjoying staying active and helping others but Ray and Nedra most loved to travel, and be it a Sunday car ride or traveling through Europe, they loved to be together.

They were apart only a handful of days in almost 50 years of marriage and now are reunited again, forever.

Through all the many challenges of the past few years, Ray’s indomitable spirit kept him going but he could not have managed without the amazing care and support of visiting neighbors, friends, nurses and caregivers, and including the Fresenius Dialysis team. Thank you all so very much for your many efforts for our Dad and for your friendship. It has meant everything to him and to us.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Sam and Mike Escobedo and his cherished love, Nedra. He is survived by his brother Gilbert Escobedo and sister, Mary St. John and his children Mike & Marcie Woerner, Gregg & Laurie Woerner, Brad & Cathy Woerner, Patrick and Emma Jacobs-Woerner and Becky & Terence Kennedy. He is delighted with his grandchildren; Lacey, Tyler, Trent, Trace, Calli, Jacob, April, Evan, Alexander and Kathryn and six great-grandchildren, so far. Ray was blessed with devoted nieces, nephews and extended family, thank you all.

His six grandsons will serve as his pallbearers.

Services celebrating his life will be on Tuesday evening, February 15th, with a Visitation and Rosary from 5-8pm, and a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, February 16th at 10:30am, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Baytown, Texas. Graveside services to follow at Grandview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider an honoring Ray with a donation to Catholic Charities or St. Joseph's Catholic School in Baytown, Texas.