Reynaldo L. Acosta, 84, passed away peacefully Monday, March 19, 2018. He was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. He was in the Class of 1952 at Jefferson high School where he was on the basketball team and track team. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He served in Air Defense Artillery in Vietnam, and numerous other overseas deployments. He retired as a Major after 20 years of honorable service. Rey received an Accounting Degree from UTEP. He worked at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and Azar Nut Co. until his civilian retirement in 1991. He was the District Area 10 Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a parishioner of St. Raphael's Catholic Church where he was a founding member of the Church's Men's Association. In August 2005, Rey was involved with a City and County of El Paso Task Force Committee to bring the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home to El Paso. This is where he spent the last few years of his life. Reynaldo is survived by his wife, Hortencia R. Acosta, of 61 years, 2 daughters Milissa M. Acosta and Marissa M. Martinez (Ruy Martinez, Jr.). grandson Erik Aleksandr Friesen (Leila McNeil), brothers Enrique Acosta and Alfonso Acosta, sisters Eva Sanchez and Lucia Hernandez, several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Enrique and Valentina Acosta, brother Agapito Acosta, and sister Guadalupe Boyer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Memorial mass will be held Friday, April 6, 2018 at 1pm at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar Road. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue. Arrangements under the direction of Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina.
