Alberto Castillo

CW3 Alberto Castillo (Retired), 81, of Copperas Cove, Texas passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Temple, Texas while surrounded by family members.

During his career in the Army, he was awarded with the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his retirement from the Army, in 1986, he went to work at Central Texas College until 1999 at which time he worked at the Copperas Cove Independent School District. He retired from CCISD in 2000, but didn’t remain retired. He became a certified Real Estate Appraiser and worked on a contract basis for McMullin Appraisals.

He served the community through various positions, both elected and appointed, most notably he served on the Copperas Cove City Council. He was also active in various service organizations including, but not limited to, the Knights of Columbus, Exchange Club, Optimist Club, Crime Stoppers, and others. Within many of these organizations, he held positions of leadership.

Service was extremely important to him as was his faith in God. He served as a lecture at Holy Family Catholic Church as well as having served on the Pastoral Council. He was a humble and tender-hearted man who organized many golf tournaments as fundraisers. Some of those

tournaments continue to this day. He rarely spoke of his accomplishments and never expected credit or recognition.

For many years, he enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends, traveling, attending high school and grandchildren’s sporting events, political events, and visiting family. FAMILY – one of the most important and valued things in his life, both immediate and extended. He was the cornerstone of the family. His sacrifices never went unnoticed as he always put the family’s needs before his own. His love was truly unconditional. There were no mistakes, no words, no actions that diminished his love.

Alberto was preceded in death by his parents, Juan and Elisa Castillo; his sister, Corina Hathaway; and, his niece, Katrina Castillo.

He is survived by his wife of 60 beautiful years, Josefina “Fina”, daughter Diana Lisa Castillo, son David A. Castillo (Regina “Gina”), and 7 grandsons Micael, Alejandro, Enrique, Joaquin, Gabriel, Teodoro “Teo”, and Xavier. He is also survived by five brothers Juan, Carlos, Jesus, Oscar, and Ernesto and countless nieces and nephews.

A Visitation for Alberto will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday September 30, 2024, with a Rosary at 6:00 PM at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home of Copperas Cove. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday October 1, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove; followed by Committal Service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 PM with Full Military Honors.

While flowers and plants are appropriate, you are welcome to make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Holy Family Catholic Church, or any charity that is near and dear to you.

We would like to give a special thanks to the Copperas Cove EMTs and Firefighters who responded and so carefully transported him to Baylor Scott and White in Temple. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the ER and ICU staff, especially Vanessa P. The care, kindness, and compassion that we all received was immeasurable.