Carlos Augusto Zuleta

Carlos was a devoted husband to his wife of 53 years, Virginia O. Zuleta. He was a loving father to his two daughters, Paloma Zuleta (husband Iden Grant Martyn) of Cleveland, Ohio, and Silvana Zuleta Giannetti (husband Anthony W. Giannetti) of Austin, Texas, who lived near her parents for the last 20 years. He is also survived by the true loves of his life, his four granddaughters: Nadia Giannetti, Fiona Giannetti, Anna Olimpia Martyn, and Zelig Augustina Martyn. He also leaves behind his dear sister, Maria Teresa Zuleta de Garcia, and his beloved brother, Mario N. Zuleta.

Born in Lima, Peru, on January 18, 1948, Carlos was the son of Augusto Zuleta Vivanco, a captain in the Peruvian Army, and Josefina Chavez, Silva Santisteban de Chavez. In his youth, Carlos formed a profound bond with his grandfather, the writer and politician Nazario Chavez Aliaga. He spent significant time assisting his grandfather with writing speeches and driving with him to appointments, often accompanied by his beloved cousin, Lucia Chavez Pelaez.

Carlos and his brother Mario attended Champagnat, a boys' school run by the Marianist order. Carlos graduated early in 1963, and the education and values he received there left a lasting impression on his worldview.

Carlos and Virginia were married on March 15, 1973, and began their family in Lima, where both of their daughters were born. Seeking new opportunities, the family immigrated to the United States in 1981, settling in Beaumont, Texas, near Virginia’s brother and Carlos' cousins. After years of pursuing higher education, Carlos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lamar University. He loved being an educator and after more than 20 years in Beaumont, Carlos and Virginia moved to Austin, Texas, to be close to their children.

Carlos will be forever remembered for his loving spirit, honesty, quiet humility, and unpretentious decency. He possessed a lifelong passion for books, classic cars, and traditional Peruvian cuisine, and he delighted his family with his quirky sense of humor. Above all, Carlos will be remembered for the immense, unconditional love he showed to the family he so deeply adored.

A service for Carlos will be held on Wednesday, June 24th at 3:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.