Alfredo Antonio Ledezma Sr., 95, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on May 21, 2022. He was born September 4, 1926, in Laredo, Texas, the son of Alfredo C. Ledezma and Celia Herrera de Ledezma.
Alfredo spent the early years of his life in the Laredo area and moved to Matamoros, Tamaulipas in 1934 at the age of 8. He learned the value of hard work from his father and grew up enjoying the company of friends he made along the way. On September 17th, 1944, he met the love of his life, Paula "Polly" Plata. Whom he married on October 1st, 1949. Alfredo continued his education while newly married and graduated as a civil engineer from La Facultad de Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico in 1951. He and Polly welcomed their first born, Laura, just 30 days after graduation.
While at his first job, Alfredo took part in the planning and designing of the Falcon Dam, an international initiative between the U.S. and Mexico. This was a project that he remained proud of for the remainder of his life and in 2019, was acknowledged and celebrated as one of the original engineers of the dam.
Alfredo and Polly later decided that it was time to lay down roots, settle and create a stable environment for their daughter, which led them to Mexico City. Shortly thereafter, on March 11, 1961, they introduced their son, Alfredo Ledezma Jr.
Alfredo and Polly spent the next 45 years in Mexico City, where they found themselves developing and nurturing friendships that would last the rest of their lives, many of which continue to live on in the next generation of family members.
Together they loved to travel to Europe (Spain in particular), visiting friends and seeing the beautiful scenes that Europe has to offer.
Towards the end of 1970, Alfredo was offered a career change with Vidro Plano de Mexico. This new job sent him on a six-month business trip to England with his family, where his daughter met her future husband. From there came business opportunities with CALASA and Mex-American Glass, many memorable family trips, and eventually a relocation to Laredo, and then finally to Brownsville.
Looking back at his life, it is clear Alfredo and Polly lived for their children and then their grandchildren. Alfredo was even fortunate to get to meet all five of their great grandchildren.
Alfredo is predeceased by his father Alfredo C. Ledezma, his mother Celia H. Ledezma, his brother, Dr. Armando Ledezma (Silvia), and his beloved wife Paula "Polly" Plata Ledezma (deceased June 25, 2014).
Alfredo is survived by his children Laura Harse (Richard) and Alfredo Ledezma Jr.; his grandchildren Eric Kevin Harse (Sarah), Stephanie Harse Schaefer (John Charles), and Amanda Denise Ledezma; his five great-grandchildren: Juan Carlos, Liam Andres and Mateo Julian Schaefer, Emma Elizabeth and Lucas Alfredo Harse. He is also survived by his brother Arturo (Gloria "deceased"), his sister, Astrid (Cesario Valdiviez "deceased" and Al Roser "deceased"), and his youngest brother, Abelardo (Carmina).
Visitation will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 from 5pm - 8pm with a rosary at 7pm in Chapel of Peace. A mass will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11am. Services conclude after the mass.
