Robert Felan Ayala

With heavy hearts, we share our beloved Robert “Bob” Felan Ayala, a San Antonian native and beloved father, grandfather, husband, and friend passed away on June 7, 2025, in the presence of his loved ones after a strong 15-year cancer battle. He was 56 years old.

Bob, is an academically bright young man who graduated from Jefferson High School in 1986. Later, he attended the University of Texas at Austin. In 1993, he joined the United States Air Force Reserves and served 20 years with the 433rd Airlift Wing Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, where he held the rank of TSgt. He served two tours in Qatar (2003) and Iraq (2009). He was honorably discharged and retired in 2013. Bob was a reliable man, those who knew him as dependable and had an answer to every question asked. His love of sports, especially his Cowboys, and his sarcasm were never hidden but added a good chuckle to every response he gave.

Bob was one of five siblings born to Richard S. Ayala and Mary Rose F. Ayala, on August 12, 1968. He married Yolanda G. Ayala on March 2, 1998. Their beautiful 27-year-long marriage of love, kids, and grandkids lasted until his last breath.

His devotion wasn’t just shown to his family but also to his job. Bob worked as a Service Technician for AT&T from September 1998 up to his last days.

Bob’s hardest battle he fought wasn’t on the field but in his everyday life. In 2010, he was diagnosed with slow-growing, non-curable cancer, but that didn’t stop him from giving up. He took charge of his health, was open to undergoing numerous clinical trials and therapies, and continued to work overtime to provide for his family. Bob was always a loving and supportive husband, father, and the best male role model anyone could ask for.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister Rosalie Felan Ayala.

Bob is survived by his wife Yolanda ‘Babe’ Ayala; two daughters, Raven and Phoebe Ayala; one son, Ceasar Esquivel (Emily); one grandson, Arren one granddaughter Jaylynn and three brothers Richard "Jung,", Roger (Jenny) and Raymond (Evonne) and nieces and nephews.

Rosary will be at Sunset Funeral Home on Austin Highway at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Maus II Chapel.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home and will proceed to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, where Bob will be laid to rest at 1:15 P.M.

The family of Bob Ayala wish to extend their sincere appreciation to the physicians at The Start Center for Cancer Care: Dr. Gladys I Rodriguez, & Dr. Kyriakos P Papadopoulos, Methodist Cardiology Clinic: Dr. J. Fernando Triana M.D. & Taylor Triana MD., MBA. Methodist Physicians: Dr. Rodney Carry, Dr. Yuichi Matsuzaki MD. PhD., Dr. Carlos Morales- Mangual MD., Dr. Nilto Carias De Oliveira MD., Dr. Andrew N. Bowser MD. Texas IPS: Dr. Shameen Salam MD., & Dr. Jeffrey Dellavolpe MD.

Valerie Leal MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC. Methodist Nurses: Jasmine, Alyssa, Sara, John and Felicia. Garza Medical Group: Dr. Nora Garza & staff. Excel Diagnostics & Nuclear Oncology, Center, Houston, TX.