Gil Coronado

The Honorable Gil Coronado, Colonel USAF (Ret)., passed peacefully embraced by his loving family on Saturday February 7, 2026. Throughout his stellar career, whether surrounded by Presidents, Kings, Generals, Members of Congress, he took pride in sharing that his journey began on the west side of San Antonio.

He was, he said, “a product of the streets,” getting into the usual trouble. He enlisted in the military while still a teenager, barely 16. Although he said his “life turned around” in the military, he still brought some of his bad street habits with him. He was given an Article 15 for a typical indiscretion. This bump in the road, however, wasn’t as important as how he rose above it.

Coronado rose steadily in the ranks. Years later, he served at the command level at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. A subordinate suggested sweeping the Article 15 under a rug. Coronado wouldn’t hear of it. “I wanted the Article 15 kept on the record,” he said, “to show it’s not the end of the world. It depends on what you do from now on.”

What he did from then on was rise to the rank of colonel, earning over 35 awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, along with tours in Panama, Germany, and Spain. He was a U.S. member of the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington.

One of Colonel Coronado’s greatest sources of professional pride was serving as the inspiration for National Hispanic Month Celebration. In 1968 President Lyndon B. Johnson first issued an annual proclamation designating the week including September 15 and 16 as National Heritage Week. Coronado thought differently– a week was insufficient to pay special tribute to the rich and enduring plethora of Hispanic traditions. In 1988 he stood beside President Ronald Reagan who signed a proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month and declared Colonel Coronado as the inspiration for the expansion from a week to a month. Today Colonel Coronado is considered the “Padrino” or “Godfather” for Hispanic Heritage Month due to his lobbying for the month-long celebration.

He served President Bill Clinton as the first Hispanic Director of the Selective Service System. His contribution to Selective Service was born in life experiences that made him sensitive to the needs of “have-nots,” not to a cold calculation. In so doing he brought Selective Service into the 21st century. That his policies opened doors for Latinos was an added benefit.

Ultimately, he would say that he enjoyed weekly Sunday brunch as he loved looking across the table and seeing what he created, along with his wife, Mary Helen. They married in 1958 at Sacred Heart Church on the west side and just a few months ago celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Colonel Coronado leaves behind a loving family: spouse, Mary Helen Zepeda Coronado; children Elaine, Todd, Troy, Troup; daughter-in-law Lisa Langlois Coronado; granddaughters Raquel Estelle Coronado, Jaqueline Lisa Coronado Gridley and Mindy Helen Coronado; sisters Inez Ojeda, Lucille Garcia, Yolanda Valdez, Peggy Gutierrez; great son-in-law Andrew Gridley; and great grandchildren Antonio, Athena and Jordan.

He is a proud graduate of Lanier High School and Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio Texas. His book Barrio Boy tells the story of his upbringing, challenges and rise through the ranks of the military and life's challenges.

Colonel Coronado will be missed by all who knew him and those impacted by his life work. As he rests in peace, the Coronado family thanks the Veterans Affairs for the respectful care given to their patriarch.

Credit: Latino Magazine, Dan Amon;

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 20th at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 8500 Cross Mountain Trail in San Antonio, Texas. He will be buried at Fort Sam Houston.