Diego Ramirez Colunga

Diego Ramirez Colunga, 86, passed away May 27, 2018. He was born January 2, 1932 as the oldest child of Marcelina and Francisco Colunga in Harlingen, Texas. He defied all odds in life and became a successful, self-made man who started life with two strikes against him and hit a homerun!

Diego’s father passed away when he was four from a work related accident and he was orphaned when his mother passed away from grief when he was five. During his formative years he was raised by family members. Those most influential in his life were his grandfather and his beloved aunt – Aunt Mary. During his high school years, he lived with Aunt Mary and she paid for him to attend Catholic school.

After high school, seeking out greater opportunities, Diego enlisted in the Navy. He served on the aircraft carrier – the USS Hancock. After his honorable discharge, he decided to move to Houston, Texas and landed a job with the Post Office. He retired from the Post Office after 38 years of service. He loved his life-long friends that he met in the Post Office.

He was preceeded in death by his father, Francisco Colunga and mother, Marcelina, brother Abelardo Colunga, and sister, Genobeva Lowe. He is survived by his daughters, Gloria Colunga Forsythe and husband Kent, Marcelina Colunga and friend Henry Trevino, Marissa Colunga Klussmann and husband Duncan, and his son, Leonardo Perez Colunga and wife Terri. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Cameron Foster Klussmann, William Henry Klussmann, Grant Stanford Forsythe, Caroline Elizabeth Klussmann, Luke Diego Colunga, and David Allen Foster. He was loved and adored by his relatives and his numerous nieces and nephews.

Diego was an avid sports fan and could quote you any stat from the past. One of the highlights of his life was when his kids gave him a ticket to attend the 2005 Astros World Series game with his son Lenny. Not only was he an avid sports fan, but loved coaching Lenny’s teams. Coach Colunga was always known as the coach that would hit homeruns during batting practice. Lenny’s teammates loved trying to catch Coach Diego’s pop fly’s before they went over the fence!

He was a devout Catholic who attended Mass on a regular basis and attended adoration each week. He was a committed Knights of Columbus member of the 4th degree. He volunteered at the Veterans Hospital for over 30 years and was an officer at his American Legion Post.

He recently completed a pilgrimage to Rome and attended an Audience with the Pope. He was fortunate to receive a private tour of the Vatican Museum at night and the Vatican guard was gracious enough to allow him to unlock and open the door to the Sistine Chapel.

A celebration of Diego’s life will begin with a Visitation to be held on Sunday, June 3rd, from 2:00 p.m. To 3:00 p.m., followed by a Rosary from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77077.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in memory of Diego on Monday, June 4th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc, Houston, Texas 77024. Burial will take place at 12:45 p.m. at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77038.

Memorial donations in memory of Diego R. Colunga can be made to the Knights of Columbus, Council 8024, St. Cyril’s Catholic Church, 10503 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77042.