Robert Mejia

If you asked Bob Mejia for three words that best described his life, he could not limit it to just three, maybe three thousand, but certainly not three! This would not have surprised anyone who knew him because they would know he was a man of many words and one who used them often. He loved to talk.

Sadly, Robert (Bob) Mejia was silenced when he died in his sleep of natural causes on September 22, 2019. He was eighty six years old. Speaking for him, it should be said his life could easily be summarized with a few simple words that held special meaning to him; Family, Education and Service.

Family was everything to “Bobby”. He was the eighth of ten children born to David and Soledad (Carrion) Mejia in the midst of the Great Depression, August 26, 1933, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He always said he was only given a first and last name because his mother “ran out of middle names” by the time he was born. The Mejia’s lived in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath shot-gun house on the south end of the city. Luckily, his grandmother, aunt and uncle lived next door so there was room for family-overflow and extra loving care. Crowded quarters, faith and culture formed strong family bonds for Bobby. He grew up idolizing his three older brothers, adoring his four sisters and sharing a bed with his two younger brothers. His character was shaped not only by his parents’ influence but by the strong work ethic, values and commitment instilled in his siblings. The other trait that emerged from his childhood, we assume, was his need to talk just to be heard among all his brothers and sisters. Bob grew up with his large and extended family living in the same little house until he talked his way into the heart of Carolyn Hook. He left his home when the two married in 1958. Bob and Carolyn started their own family when daughters Kim and Julie were born.

Bob would tell you that Education was always a priority in the Mejia family. He would often talk about how important getting an education was, by recounting the story of his father being called into the boss’ office in fear being fired. Instead, his father was praised and congratulated for having all ten of his children receive their high school diplomas. Bob also recalled his father telling him he received a small bonus or reward from his employer and that this was one of his father’s proudest moments.

As Bob lived for making his parents proud and learned that education could provide rewards in life, he followed his brothers and sisters lead by doing well in high school then graduating college with a degree in physical education. Mr. Mejia, as he was always known professionally, dedicated his career to public education starting out as a teacher in Missouri and then relocating to Iowa to teach and coach Girls Basketball. By age 30, he took his team to the state basketball tournament. He went on to become a successful school administrator eventually receiving his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from The University of Missouri. Through the years that followed, he held various assistant and head principal positions in public schools throughout southwest Iowa.

He achieved a professional milestone when he became the head principal of his alma mater, Benton High School in St, Joseph. Later, his career path led him to Texas to be closer to his daughters who lived in Houston. He served as a principal for the Hitchcock, Stafford and Pasadena school districts, officially retiring in 1998. Soon, he discovered that he was not ready to slow down so he worked as a substitute school administrator for the Clear Creek and Fort Bend school districts in the area. Over the years, Mr. Mejia was recognized for his leadership in public education. He was proud of his professional accomplishments and the impact he made on educating and disciplining young minds so they too would excel in life.

Personally, however, Robert Mejia would tell us he was most proud of his dedication and commitment to Service. He joined the Air Force straight out of high school and served as a Munitions Specialist in South Korea during the war. He often reminded people that his family “came from Mexico for a better life” and that all six of the Mejia boys served in the armed forces to protect the better life they all had in our country. His family made the ultimate sacrifice losing one of their own in World War II. Despite this hardship, he remained steadfast in his belief that service to his country was not an obligation, it was an honor.

Robert continued to serve in the communities he lived in by volunteering and ushering at his church, becoming the District Governor for the State of Iowa for Lions Club International and in his later years as a board member for the Texas Lone Star Chapter of Korean War Veterans. Until recently, he worked tirelessly to honor others who served running the group’s “SOXNCAPS” program, compiling and distributing socks, caps and care package items for his fellow veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. For these efforts he received the Gerry Weber award from his peers.

Finally, Bob would say he was an avid fan of MIZZOU Football and the Houston Astros. In fact, he loved the Astros so much that he once took a job as a security supervisor, during their last year at the Astrodome and first few years at Minute Maid Park, just to watch the games for free. He would have been happy to know the Astros clinched their division title on the day he left to be with his parents, brothers Paul, David, Rudy, Jerry and Sam Mejia and beloved sister Mary Littlejohn.

Robert leaves behind his wife Carolyn Mejia, two daughters, Kimberly Womack (husband West Womack) and Julie Sparks (husband Kenneth Sparks) and two Grandsons, Westin Womack and Samuel Chiaramonte plus Step-Grandchildren, Rebekah, Lolli, Zachary and Holly Sparks. Among other survivors are his sisters Sarah Juarez (and husband Manuel), Elizabeth Valencia, Martha Chavez and sister-in-law Pauline Mejia as well as many nieces, nephews and their families, all of whom will miss Uncle Bob’s story-telling and lectures.

Services will be held Saturday September 28, 2019 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77077. The family will receive guests at 1:00 pm. Services, conducted by Father Sunny Joseph of Holy Family Catholic Church will be at 2:00 pm in the chapel and interment with military honors will be at 3:00 pm on site. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date in St. Joseph, Missouri.