Henry E Castillo

Hank was born in Tanglewood, Texas (no longer on the map, but was just south of Rockdale) to Celia Alanis and Demetrio Castillo. Hank’s older brother was Cipriano Castillo (who would later settle in California), and Hank was blessed with a younger sister, Pauline Castillo (Garza) from San Antonio. Hank spent his early life in Tanglewood (Rockdale) before his family settled in San Antonio, TX in the mid 40’s.

A self-proclaimed “country boy”, Hank’s fondest memories were from his boyhood experiences on the family farm in Rockdale. Whether it was lowering whole watermelons from a nearby patch, down into the family well to cool, retrieving and throwing them onto the ground to crack the rind and enjoy the sweet, seedless, centers, and then throwing the left overs to the pigs in the pen to devour, or feeding the horses, cows and chickens, or swimming in the creeks, it was Hank’s vivid memories of these precious experiences that he would share with his children, grandchildren, and friends.

When Hank’s family was well settled in San Antonio, TX, he attended Thomas Jefferson High School. At the time, “Jefferson” was the furthest north in the city, and still remains one of the most beautiful schools in the State of Texas.

Hank would marry, Amelia, in 1960, and together they welcomed his eldest son, Edmund Henry Castillo, into the world in 1962, and his youngest son, Richard Allan Castillo, in 1964. Hank was a devoted father, often working two jobs, so his family had at least as good a life as he, himself, had enjoyed. He and Amelia put both son’s through; St. Paul’s, Central Catholic, and St. Mary’s University.

Hank was very proud of his 40 plus years working at Sears, and the approximate 20 years at his second, part-time, job with Roy Akers Funeral Home. He often reflected on his work experiences, but rarely spoke of the jobs themselves. Instead, he always spoke fondly of the people he worked with, respected, and loved. He was born with the “gift of gab” and his mother often said “Hank could sell snow to an Eskimo”. Hank was a people person, and he never met a stranger.

Hank was very generous his whole life, always giving back by volunteering his time, especially with St. Paul’s Parish. Early in his adult life, he would cook hamburgers (his favorites), with the other father volunteers at St Paul’s Parish festivals. He became the Scout Master in the 70’s, so St. Paul’s could have a Boy Scout chapter, and took the troops to Bear Creek in Hunt, TX, Philmont, in New Mexico, and several trips to North Padre Island, TX. Later in life, he became a St. Paul’s Church Usher, and Eucharistic Minister. St. Paul’s always seemed to be at the center of his life.

Perhaps more than anything, Hank enjoyed conversations with relatives in West Texas and California, friends in Houston, and with family here, at home, in San Antonio. Regardless if the conversations were about current news, college or professional sports, the “old days”, or anything else, it was the “conversation with the person whom he shared it with” that warmed his soul.

If you knew Hank, you knew he enjoyed food. Being from the country, he was the first to say he was a “meat and potatoes” guy. Soups, sushi, and salads, just didn’t sit well with him, and he wasn’t shy about letting you know. In the last year of his life, when all of us were dealing with the pandemic, Hank was independent, living at his home, with no significant health issues. He stopped going to the grocery stores, and church, etc. to stay safe, but drove his car once a day, exercised daily, and enjoyed tremendous home cooked and restaurant meals that took him around the world; Thai, Barbeque, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Chinese, etc., from his family.

Hank was blessed to return home to our Lord from the comfort of his living room chair, and we were all blessed to have shared life with him for so many years.

Hank was preceded in death by his loving wife, Amelia Gonzales Castillo; brother, Cipriano Castillo (California); mother, Celia A. Castillo; father, Demetrio Castillo. Henry is survived by his sons, Edmund Henry Castillo and Richard Allan Castillo; grandson, Dominic Anthony Castillo; granddaughter, Madeline Rose Castillo; sister, Pauline Garza.

Visitation will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Dr. with a Rosary to be recited at 11:00 am and a Mass of Resurrection at 11:30 am. Interment to follow in San Fernando No.2 Cemetery.