Abel R. Mendez, Jr.

Today, April 21, 2013 the world has lost one of its most unique characters, there will never be another like him. Abel Mendez Jr. was a friend to many, a hand up, a pat on the back. He was a much loved son to his parents, a mischievous brother to his siblings and the beloved husband of Velia (Billie) Sanchez Mendez.

Abel Jr. was a loving father to Linda Nandin, Mike Mendez, and Carla Mendez; a dearly loved father-in law to Mike’s wife, Katie, and a very close friend to Kim and her daughter Christina.

In the seventies Abel Jr. became Popo, a beloved grandfather to JoLynn and Chris Castillo, Annie, Luke, Molly, Shelley and Jessie Mendez. The nineties issued in the great- grandchildren; JoLynn’s two boys, Michael and Eric, Chris’ daughter Skylynn, and later on his son John. Annie added Samantha and Brian and Molly had Haylee.

Abel loved traveling to casinos, going to Mexico with the family and the summer trips up to Wisconsin. He had an unquenchable sweet tooth and always had some kind of candy in his pockets.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Abel Mendez Sr. and his mother Maxine Rios Mendez; his wife Velia (Billie) Sanchez Mendez, along with many of his closest friends and relatives.

The rest of us, including his brothers, Lee and wife Chavella, Raul and wife Angelina; sisters, Irene and husband Frank Tello, Margie and husband Arturo Mercado, Stella and husband Jim Brittnacher, Connie and Rachael; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many great- nieces and nephews will miss his smile, laughter and mischief.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until seven o’clock in the evening, on Wednesday, the 24th of April 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Rosary will be recited at seven o’clock that evening.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 25th of April 2013, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, Pflugerville, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.