Silverio Valencia Jr.

Mr. Valencia received his formal education in Gregory, Texas and attended La Escuela Modelo in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He graduated from the University of Coahuila in Saltillo, Mexico with a degree in Business Administration. Mr. Valencia worked as an accountant in Mexico City, Distrito Federal and Monterrey, Mexico.

In 1953, a young Silverio returned to the Coastal Bend becoming a driving force in the areas of economic development and community advancement as District Manager for American National Insurance Company and subsequently as Vice President of Citizens State Bank. He co-founded the Ayers Civic Center in 1972 with The Honorable Eduardo De Ases, Clemente Garcia and Victor Guajardo. The Ayers Civic Center continues its mission to serve the community through youth outreach and scholarship awards.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Valencia has been known as the “Bingo King of South Texas” as owner of El Mercado Bingo halls in Corpus Christi providing a venue for non-profits to thrive and serve their community. A Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2710, Mr. Valencia also supported Troop 19 of the Boy Scouts of America, President of the Gulf Coast Little League and President of La Junta Patriotica Mexicana.

Mr. Valencia is survived by Ricarda G. Valencia, his wife of 62 years, his children Silverio G. (Linda) Valencia of San Antonio, Patricia V. Hinojosa of Laredo, Claudia (Robert) Sponsel of Austin, Gerardo Valencia, Isaac (Martha) Valencia, Daniel (Rebecca) Valencia of Beaumont and Andres (Charmaine) Valencia of Spring, Texas. Surviving grandchildren include Marialaura (Reynaldo Jr.) Molina, Silverio (Kyndra) Valencia IV, Mariaelena Valencia, Alejandro Valencia, Linda Jasmine (Daniel) Olvera, Jose Marcelo (Lupita) Hinojosa, Javier Mario Hinojosa, Jaime Miguel Hinojosa, Thomas Roy (Nancy) Reynolds, Marisa Claudia (Manuel) Angel, Sarah Beth (Derrick) Thurmond, Imelda Renee Valencia, Miriam Celeste Valencia, Blythe Danielle Valencia, Blayde Evan Valencia, Rebecca Loren Valencia and 17 great grandchildren.

Silverio Valencia’s surviving siblings include Hilda Valencia (Manuel) Solis, Virginia Valencia Donahue, Rodolfo Valencia and sister-in-laws Elodia and Esperanza Valencia. He was preceded in death by David Valencia (son), Gerardo Valencia, Jr. (grandson), Jose Marcelo Hinojosa (son-in-law), his parents, and his siblings Guadalupe (Fidencio) Lopez, Rafael Valencia, Maria (Guadalupe) Gomez, Jose Valencia, Ambrosio (Dolores) Valencia, Dr. Robert L. Donahue (brother-in-law) and Olga G. Valencia (sister-in-law).

Services are set for Thursday, June 7, 2012, with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Funeraria Del Angel Funeraria-Memorial Holly, 3442 Holly Road; Funeral Mass is schedule for 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius Catholic Church, 5620 Gollihar Road followed by interment at Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Valencia’s grandsons will serve as Pall Bearers: Silverio G. Valencia, III, Alejandro Gabriel Valencia, Jose Marcelo Hinojosa, Javier Mario Hinojosa, Jaime Miguel Hinojosa, Thomas Roy Reynolds and Blayde Evan Valencia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Christ the King Catholic Church, 1625 Arlington Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 and/or St. Pius Catholic Church, 5620 Gollihar St. Corpus Christi, Texas 78412.

Special thanks to Alameda Oaks Skilling Nursing staff, Spohn Shoreline Hospital ICU Hospice Staff and Dr. Rueben Pedraza.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel - Memorial Holly, Corpus Christi, TX.