Fernando "Nando" Arellano, Sr.

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Fernando “Nando” Arellano, Sr. went to be with the Lord on August 6, 2011 at the age of 95. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 59 years, Teofila CantúArellano; brother, Ignacio Arellano, Jr.; sisters, Lupe Vallejo and Hebe Muñoz. A native of San Antonio he was born to Ignacio and Isaura Arellano on September 27, 1915. He attended Lanier and Irving Jr. Schools and graduated from Tech High School. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and participated in basketball, while in the Navy. He later retired as a Recreation Specialist from Kelly AFB after 35 years of service. During his working career, he received numerous awards: KAFB SUSTAINED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AWARD (’65,’69, and’73), OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AWARD (’73,’76), OUTSTANDING MANAGER AWARD IN RECEREATION (’73), and the KELLY’S SAFETY AWARD (’73). Also, while at Kelly AFB, he managed the slow-pitch baseball teams including the AFLC Team that competed in USAF Worldwide Tournament, and he coached the Kelly Flyers Softball Team to 12 trophies and 2 plaques. He was the Tournament Director for the 1973 AFLC, USAF Worldwide and the Inter-Service Slow Pitch Championships. Mr. Arellano was a man of high moral character and standards, a devoted husband and father. He set a good example for his family. His personal involvement in sports, where he excelled in football, soccer, baseball, and basketball, carried over into community work and youth development through sports. Besides his personal sports achievements and awards, he received several sports and civic-related awards and recognitions. He was selected San Antonio’s SPORTS FATHER OF THE YEAR (’57). For his work with youth programs, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County dedicated a little league baseball field at Rosedale Park and soccer field at Rodriguez Park in his name. He was profiled by the S.A. Express & News in DEDICATION REWARDED (’77) and received two “Hidalgo de San Antonio De Bejar” (’80,’83). He was recognized with a CITATION from the City of San Antonio for service to the youth (’83). He received RECOGNITION AWARD from the Mexican-American Sports Association for outstanding achievement as a player, coach and official for over 50 years (’91). He was also chosen “Man of the Year” by the Nemo Herrera Scholarship Fund (’94). Also, in 1994 he was nominated for consideration into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was awarded the Albert Peña Award by the Mexican American Unity Council for Community Service. Fernando was an organizer, manager and Vice President of the Pan-American Optimist Little League (’51,’53); manager of Babe Ruth baseball team in the Northside League; founder, organizer, and president (3 yrs.) of the Prospect Hills Yellow Jackets (PHYJ) Little League; founder manager and president of the Northwest Optimist Colt Baseball League where he represented San Antonio in the Colt League World Series in Ontario, CA as manager (’57,’58) and as president in 1959; Connie Mack Baseball League manager and board-member; founded and organized the PHYJ Junior Soccer League, which later merged with S.A. Soccer League; founder of Youth Baseball Umpire Assn.; personally officiated soccer and basketball league games at Kelly AFB, Sheppard AFB (Air Training Command Tournament), Fort Sam Houston (Fourth Army Tournament), City leagues and youth leagues and conducted clinics for the benefit of youth development. Fernando’s athletic abilities and love of sports were evident throughout his life as a player, coach and organizer. He founded the Prospect Hill Yellow Jacket Athletic Club (’32) where he played football, soccer and baseball winning two City football titles. He started playing organized basketball with the International Club winning consecutive TAAF City titles in (’35,’36). As a member of the Kelly AFB Flyers (’44,-’48), he played in various tournaments throughout the U.S. and Mexico, including two National AAU Tournaments in Denver, CO. In 1944, he was invited by Mexico’s Representatives to play on their National Olympic Basketball team. He was player-manager of three State Soccer Championship teams (Galan Construction and Busy Bee). He loved and enjoyed the outdoors and cherished many memorable hunting and fishing experiences and vacation trips to Mexico with family and close friends. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the Dallas Cowboys and the San Antonio Spurs. He will be greatly missed. Survived by his four sons: Fernando, Jr. (Dolores), Mario, Sr., Abelardo, and Robert (Yolanda B.); 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 15, 2011 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 2623 Perez Street, where he served as an active parishioner. Interment will follow in San Fernando Cemetery II. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Please visit www.funerariadelangelroyakers.com for online tributes.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, San Antonio, TX.