Raymond M. Olvera

Raymond Moscatelli Olvera passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025. He was a gentle soul who will be remembered fondly by his family as well, as his former students, especially those who knew him as a guidance counselor and teacher.

Raymond was born on January 23, 1928, in Brackettville, TX, and the son of Francisco and Carolina Olvera, and the last of 8 children, including Francisco Pedro, Joseph Elidor (“Sonny” or “Toe”), Estella, Ninfa, Lola, Sylvia, and Betty Lou. Raymond attended Brackettville Elementary and Brackettville High School. While in high school he played saxophone in the marching band and graduated as the class salutatorian.

Upon graduation, although he was admitted to Sul Ross Normal College, he instead took business classes for a year at Draughon’s Business College in San Antonio beginning in 1945. He took classes and received certification in typing, bookkeeping, comptometer, and writing. While at business college he lived at the YMCA.

Raymond proudly served in the United States military for over 20 years in various positions and locations, and rose through the ranks during his service. He joined the US Army Air Corp in 1946, and attended basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He was inducted into service at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, and then stationed at Furstenfeldbruck AFB in Germany during the World War II post-war reconstruction. Upon his return to the States, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He transitioned to the US Air Force and was transferred to Brooks AFB in San Antonio. He later joined the US Air Force Security Service and was assigned to Lackland AFB. While in the military his hobby was bowling.

Raymond met Esperanza Morin of Hondo, TX, while boarding the westbound Highway 90 bus in San Antonio in 1955. They were married in Hondo on November 20, 1955, and were married for almost 70 years prior to Esperanza’s passing in 2023.

In 1956, Raymond and Esperanza were stationed in Japan, and later moved to Hawaii where Raymond was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center, and then Wheeler Army Airfield/Schofield Barracks on Oahu. Their first son, Franklin, was born in Hawaii, and then the family moved to San Antonio in 1960, where Michael, Valerie and Christopher were born.

While in San Antonio, Esperanza and Raymond took turns going to school at night while working and raising a family. Raymond received an associate’s degree from San Antonio College, and then a BA in History from St. Mary’s University.

Soon after retiring from the US Air Force as a Master Sergeant in 1966, Raymond worked at the library at St. Mary’s University as an assistant librarian for about a year, and then began teaching at Harlandale High School. He received a fellowship to SMU to earn a Master’s degree in history, traveling to Dallas to pursue this advanced degree.

The family moved to Leon Valley in 1971, and Raymond later obtained a guidance counseling job at Holmes High School, where he stayed until his retirement from his high school education career in 1993. However, he continued working, and taught history at night at San Antonio College until 2010.

Both he and Esperanza were very involved with St. Luke’s Catholic Church, including the St. Vincent De Paul Society and Book Club. They also traveled extensively in Europe and North America. But since 1958, their primary focus was raising their four children and then enjoying and taking care of their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They especially loved attending the grandkids’ sporting events. Raymond loved family gatherings, and dancing with Esperanza. All of the family, including his many nieces, nephews, and cousins knew him as a quiet, calm, and kind presence.

The family wishes to thank his many caregivers for their devoted care during his later years, including Alice, Jordan, Lana, Ali, Pamela, Bertha, Julia, Janie and Sally. He was always glad to greet visitors and seemed happiest when they would join him for a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

He is survived by sisters-in-law Ora Black of Missoula, MT and Nelda DuChamp of San Antonio, son Franklin and daughter-in-law Gaye of Helotes, son Michael and daughter-in-law Nancy of Dallas, daughter Valerie and son-in-law Scott of San Antonio, son Christopher and daughter-in-law Jeanine of San Antonio, and nine grandchildren: Carrie Olvera (Henry), Kelsey Olvera (Austin), Karleigh Zolinski, Rebeca Schendel (Michael), Sophie Zolinski, Emily McCoy (Jack), Margaret “Maggie” Olvera, Christopher Olvera and William Olvera, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The visitation will be held on December 30, 2025, from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at St. Luke Catholic Church, located at 4603 Manitou Dr, San Antonio, TX 78228 with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 AM.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on December 30, 2025, at 10:00 am St. Luke Catholic Church.

The committal service will follow on December 30, 2025, at 11:30 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, located at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the

Alzheimer’s Association,

www.alz.org.