Carlos Gorostiza

Carlos was born on February 29, 1946, in Elsa, Texas, to Carlos Gorostiza Sr. and Estefana Vela. He grew up with strong values: work hard, take care of your family, and never quit. Those values stayed with him his entire life.

As a young man, he traveled for work, but most of his adult life was spent in Abernathy, Texas, where he raised his family and built the life, he was so proud of.

On December 22, 1965, in Plainview, Texas, he married the love of his life, Epifania. For 60 years they stood side by side through every season, every challenge, and every joy. They enjoyed simple things together, like trips to the casino, time that was just theirs.

Carlos worked for 50 years at High Plains Drilling. He took pride in being dependable and giving his best every single day. In 2013, he was honored with the Gary D. Grant Award as the #1 Driller in Texas, something he earned through dedication and grit. Later, he started Gorostiza Trucking, building a family business the same way he built everything else, with integrity and hard work.

He was a builder in more ways than one. He built his family’s home with his own hands. He flipped houses. He fixed things. If something was broken, he figured it out.

He loved cars. His garage was his happy place. He spent countless hours restoring vehicles and sharing that passion with his family. If he wasn’t in the garage, you’d find him outside in his shed, working in the yard, or just sitting quietly enjoying the outdoors.

He was strong-willed, hardworking, loyal, and loving. He could be stubborn, but it always came from a place of love. He was a jokester who liked to tease and make people laugh. But above everything else, he lived for his family. There was truly nothing he wouldn’t do for them.

Carlos Vela Gorostiza Jr. is lovingly survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Epifania Gorostiza. He leaves behind his children, Julie & Ismael Zamora; Estefana & Chris Payen; Juanita & Richard Palacios; Charlene & Freddy Tovar; and Patty & Arturo Trevino. He was a proud and deeply loving grandfather to Joe Carlos Minor; Tiffani Amber Palacios (Megan Palacios); Gabriella Sincere Gutierrez (Joshua Gutierrez); Carlos Felix Tovar (Nikki Tovar); Victoria Renee Zamora; Marcy Abigail Rangel (Luis Rangel); Zachary Ryan Tovar (Renae Tovar); Meagan Nicole Palacios; Abraham Jacob Zamora (Brandon Zamora); Justin Michael Tovar (Kaegan Tovar); Christopher Jordan Payen (Devon Payen); Kyan Zane Trevino; Kaiya Isabella Trevino; Emily Rosa-Renee Palacios; and Richard Joseph Palacios. His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren: Rey, Amelia, and Luka Gutierrez; Amyyah, Richard, Analia, and Alayyah Bernal; Alexandra Rangel; Renslie and Kamden Tovar; Raelynn and Lincoln Tovar; and Delios, Olivianne, and Christopher Payen. He is also survived by his siblings, Frances Gonzalez and Jaime Gorostiza, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and his loyal dog, Benji.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos Gorostiza Sr. and Estefana Vela; his son, Carlos Gorostiza III; his siblings, Juan Pablo Gorostiza, Guadalupe Gorostiza, Juanita Salazar, and Frank Gorostiza; and his beloved pet, Theodore.

Carlos’ life was simple in the best way, work hard, love your family, and show up every day. He built a legacy of strength, loyalty, and love that will live on through every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild who carries his name and his lessons forward.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Carlos Gorostiza’s services will be held on February 17, 2026, at Katy Funeral Home, located at 23350 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, TX 77494. Family and friends are invited to gather from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to visit, share memories, and offer support to one another. A Celebration of Life service honoring Carlos will follow from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.