Porfirio "Steve" Canales

Steve was a Victoria High School graduate, Class of ’73. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam Era at Clark AFB, Phillipines and Lackland AFB, TX until 1981. In 1988 he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and in 2000 a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management.

Steve was a fun loving person who lived life to the fullest. He loved working with children and was a Program Director of the Air Force Youth Programs in Colorado Springs, CO with many collaborative efforts with the Boys and Girls Club of America to enhance children’s lives. He was a former member of the Mt. Washington Valley Kiwanas Club supporting the needs of children and recently a member of “The Amigos”. The majority of his working career was in family support programs, child development, youth programs, and child protective services. He loved coaching youth sports (baseball, softball and basketball) and enjoyed mentoring children. He recently was working with a group of high school friends to establish “The Amigos” to help under privileged children. He was so very proud of his two daughters and loved to share with others all their accomplishments. He loved all his pets and would have had a house full of rescues if not for his wife!

Steve is survived by his wife, Dawn Farrin Canales, daughters, Marissa A. Canales of Austin, TX and Erica M. Canales of Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Evangeline Gomez and husband Raymond from Houston, TX, Herminia Salazar and husband Frank from San Antonio, TX, Alicia Tehero and husband Jim from Bothell, WA, Margaret Salinas and husband Abel, from Brookshire, TX; brothers, Victor Canales and wife Virginia of San Antonio, TX and Gilbert Canales, and wife Annette of Fort Worth, TX, mother of his daughters, Maria Cynthia Guillen of Victoria, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents the late Victor V. and Alicia A. Canales.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Colonial Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4:00 pm officiated by Pastor Jim and Alicia Tehero A Flag folding presentation will be held under the auspices of the Victoria County Veterans Council, assisting will be several active duty personnel including his nephew, MGySgt. Jensen Reese. A Scattering Service will be held in East Conway, NH at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com