Hector Rios

breath on August 4, 2021. After battling multiple myeloma for four years, he passed away

peacefully in his home with his wife and sons by his side.

Hector was born March 30, 1957, in Edinburg, Texas. He was a 1975 graduate of Edinburg

High School, where he was a standout football and baseball player. His pitching prowess

earned him a scholarship to play baseball at Ranger College, and after one year, he transferred

to his hometown to play for Coach Al Ogletree at the University of Texas-Pan American where

he was a four year letterman. His performance as a Bronc pitcher earned him many honors

including being placed on the UTPA Top Ten Pitchers’ List in 1980. That same year, two of

Hector’s dreams came true. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Bilingual Education

and a Minor in History, and he signed a professional baseball contract to pitch with the San

Diego Padres Organization in San Diego, California. For eight years, 1980-1988, Hector pitched

for several professional baseball organizations both in California and Mexico. He was extremely

proud of his success on the pitching mound. In 1986, towards the end of his baseball career, Hector was set up on a blind date that would change the course of his life forever. His sister, Yolanda, arranged for him to meet a beautiful, young teacher from Monte Alto named Norma Alanis. The connection was instant. Norma was immediately drawn to Hector’s sense of humor and joy for living; he made her laugh constantly, and Hector loved Norma’s beauty and honesty. After only one year, Hector proposed to Norma

in an elaborate candle lit setting in San Diego. Once Hector completed his last season in the

Mexican Winter League in Tijuana, they wed in April of 1988 in a romantic ceremony attended

by many friends and family members. This is when his life truly began. After getting married, the newlyweds decided to start their life in Edinburg. At this time, Hector began teaching full-time at Buckner Elementary in Pharr where he worked for five years (1988-1993). During his time at Buckner, Hector and Norma welcomed two blessings, their sons, Hector Jr. and Lee Hector. In 1993, Hector was hired as a physical education teacher and coach at North Alamo Elementary (Santos Livas Elementary). His love for children and passion for coaching was inspiring to those who knew him. His favorite moments included coaching his two sons while they were in elementary school. Hector especially enjoyed the commutes to and from school jamming to his favorite rock tunes and sports radio. For 25 years, he thrived at

North Alamo/Santos Livas, and in 2017 while looking forward to retirement, life threw him a

curveball and he was diagnosed with cancer. That fall, Hector received two prestigious awards.

He was named the Santos Livas Elementary Teacher of the Year and was inducted into the Leo

Najo Baseball Hall of Fame. After 32 years of service as an educator, Hector retired in 2018.

Hector’s love for Jesus Christ, his family and friends was boundless. He loved going to the

Basilica of San Juan to pray to God and give thanks. When traveling to Houston for his

treatments and appointments, he made it a point to try new restaurants, go to new places and

take Norma shopping. He especially enjoyed going to the movies, attending Houston Astros

games and taking road trips with his family and close friends to San Antonio (his favorite place),

Lake Tahoe, Disney, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, St. Petersburg, San Francisco and San Diego.

During his professional baseball career, he traveled to Mexico City, Baja California, Mexicali and

Leon, Guanajuato. Hector, a romantic at heart, always wined and dined Norma at two of his

favorite restaurants Macaroni Grill and Logan’s Roadhouse; he truly believed that every day was

Valentine’s Day and lived life to its fullest with the woman he loved. Nothing was more important

than making his wife happy. He enjoyed barbecuing at home, playing and coaching baseball

and listening to Paul McCartney and the Beatles. Hector loved eating desserts, especially

cheesecake and apple pie a la mode, making late night Sonic runs, and watching James Bond

movies.

Hector is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Norma Alanis Rios of Edinburg, his two sons,

Hector Jr. (Luzette) of Edinburg, and Lee Hector of Edinburg, sister, Yolanda (Josue) Quintanilla

of Monte Alto, three brothers, Leonel (Cindy +) Rios of Edinburg, Albert (Belinda) Rios of

Edinburg, Homer Rios of Austin, his mother in law, Otila Alanis (Edelmiro +) of Edinburg, Eddie Alanis

(Rosie) of Katy, Edmund Alanis (Claudia) of Edinburg, Sandra Mendoza (Juan) of Edinburg, and many

nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Natalia and Antero Rios of

Edinburg.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 8, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel,

4607 North Sugar Road in Pharr with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on

Monday, August 9, 2021, at 12:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1302 E. Champion Street

in Edinburg. Interment will follow mass at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.

Pallbearers will be Homer Rios (brother), Gabriel Quintanilla (nephew), Chris Rios (nephew),

Edmund Alanis (brother-in-law), Eddie Alanis (brother-in-law), and Juan Mendoza

(brother-in-law).

We, the family of Hector Rios, wish to extend a sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff

at MD Anderson in Houston, DHR Advanced Care Center in Edinburg, and Harbor Hospice of

McAllen. Also, we thank all of our family, friends, and neighbors who provided much appreciated

prayers, support, and meals sent to us, especially Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Alanis and daughters and

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Alanis from Katy, Texas, for extending their love and hospitality. We thank the

Holy Family Catholic Church and parishioners for their petitions and constant prayers.

Hector was the life of our party and will be deeply missed.