Rosalio "Charlie" Tello Chapa

Born – August 29, 1934

Deceased – February 8, 2026

Age 91, born August 29, 1934, in Mendoza, Texas, raised in and around the Lytton Springs, Texas area and was a resident of Austin, Texas since 1958. Rosalio passed on peacefully to his Heavenly Home on February 8, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Rosalio finished his school education at the 5th grade but went on to get an education in life through experiences in life and labor. He and his family were migrant farmers during his early years and described these times as “good times” more so than hard work. Never did he describe these hard times as nothing more than work that his family performed to make a living and described them fondly. As times changed and the labor changed, Rosalio began his career change into the home construction business in various aspects, finally ending with a passion for custom cabinetry. He established R.T. Chapa’s Custom Cabinets and created many artistic pieces of woodwork in and around Austin, Texas homes. Beyond his passion for woodwork, Rosalio enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He and his wife, Nickie, would make the rounds of area church festivals throughout the year enjoying music and companionship with whomever they encountered. He enjoyed Tejano and Country Music and would listen to music for hours in his later years at home. Rosalio was a devout member of St. Louis King of France Catholic Church for 60+ years and served as an Usher and was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Group.

Rosalio is predeceased by his father Jose Rogelio Chapa, mother Isabel Tello Chapa, and brother Alvin Chapa. He is survived by his bride of 63 years Nicolasa “Nickie” Granado Chapa, son James Chapa and friend Roxanne Titapas - and his children Angelica Chapa, James Alfred Chapa, Nikki Chapa and Anissa Chapa, son Samuel Chapa and wife Leticia Chapa – and their son Gabriel Alan Gomez, and son Daniel Chapa and wife Cliseria P. Chapa – and their children Daniel Chapa, Julian Chapa and Klarissa Castillo as well as five great-grandchildren. Rosalio is also survived by his sister Natividad “Dorthy” Ramirez and brother Joe Chapa. The family would like to express our sincerest appreciation to Dell Seton Medical Center UT Austin SICU Staff and the staff at Austin Hospice Christopher House for all their compassion and care.

Visitation is scheduled to take place at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, located at 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752, on February 15, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will occur at the same venue on February 15, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Louis King of France Catholic Church, situated at 7601 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757, on February 16, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The committal service is set for February 16, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, located at 14501 N Interstate Hwy 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.